Behind the Light
Phillip Phillips · 2014
58 min · 15 tracks · pop rock
Uplifting pop rock melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, showcasing anthemic choruses and a soulful vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Raging Fire — This track features powerful instrumentation and emotionally charged lyrics, encapsulating Phillips' growth as a songwriter since his debut.
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Searchlight — Opening the album, this song sets a hopeful tone with its rich vocals and driving rhythm, making it a standout anthem for resilience.
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Unpack Your Heart — With its introspective lyrics and poignant melody, this track showcases Phillips' ability to blend vulnerability with pop sensibilities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Choruses are often layered with backing vocals that create a fuller sound, particularly in tracks like 'Raging Fire' and 'Alive Again'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- uplifting anthems for motivation
- introspective moments of reflection
- engaging melodies for road trips
- heartfelt lyrics that resonate
- steady pacing for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid emotionally charged experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Behind the Light is Phillip Phillips' sophomore album, following his successful debut, The World from the Side of the Moon. At this point in his career, Phillips was building on his American Idol victory and seeking to establish a deeper artistic identity beyond commercial hits.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ed Sheeran· Jason Mraz· Ben Howard
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Searchlight 4:13
- 2 Raging Fire 3:55
- 3 Trigger 4:00
- 4 Lead On 3:15
- 5 Alive Again 3:08
- 6 Open Your Eyes 4:11
- 7 Fool For You 3:33
- 8 Thicket 5:03
- 9 Fly 4:55
- 10 Unpack Your Heart 3:16
- 11 Face 3:55
- 12 Midnight Sun 3:22
- 13 My Boy 4:40
- 14 Don’t Trust Me 3:36
- 15 Armless Crawler 3:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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