Top tracks — play these first
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Break of Dawn — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of renewal and hope, featuring lush instrumentation that underscores Goapele's ethereal vocal delivery.
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Tears on My Pillow — This track stands out for its emotional depth, blending personal vulnerability with compelling rhythms that highlight Goapele's lyrical prowess.
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Money — With its socially conscious lyrics and infectious groove, this song critiques materialism while maintaining an upbeat feel, showcasing Goapele's versatility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soulful melodies with introspective lyrics, creating a warm and inviting listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features mid-tempo tracks that build a consistent groove, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the emotional tone.
- Several songs incorporate layered vocal harmonies, with Goapele's voice often accompanied by background vocals that enhance the depth of the sound.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- introspective moments of reflection
- warm sonic embrace for evenings
- soulful melodies for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 2011, Goapele was establishing herself as a prominent voice in contemporary soul music, following her acclaimed album 'Change It All' released in 2006. 'Break of Dawn' marks her third studio album, showcasing her growth as an artist and further solidifying her unique sound within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Erykah Badu· Jill Scott· India.Arie
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Play 3:43
- 2 Tears on My Pillow 4:46
- 3 Undertow 3:47
- 4 Break of Dawn 4:29
- 5 Hush 4:06
- 6 Money 4:06
- 7 Pieces 3:24
- 8 Right Here 3:21
- 9 Milk & Honey 3:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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