Breathing Under Water
Anoushka Shankar · 2007
62 min · 13 tracks · blues
A fusion of Indian classical music and blues, weaving intricate melodies with emotive storytelling amidst rich instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Burn — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its haunting melody and powerful vocal delivery, encapsulating themes of longing and transformation.
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Breathing Under Water — The title track serves as an introspective exploration of vulnerability and resilience, showcasing Shankar's skillful sitar playing paired with evocative lyrics.
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Ghost Story — This track features a compelling narrative structure that combines traditional elements with modern storytelling, highlighting Shankar's ability to bridge cultural divides.
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Abyss — With layered instrumentals and a meditative quality, this piece exemplifies the album’s exploration of deep emotional currents through musical expression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively merges Indian classical music with blues, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong vocal performance in 'Burn', followed by tracks that gradually introduce more complex instrumentation and layered melodies.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response patterns between the sitar and vocals, creating a dialogue that reflects both Indian classical and blues traditions.
- The last three tracks consist of ambient soundscapes that extend the album's themes, allowing for a contemplative conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- intricate melodies for deep focus
- evocative storytelling through sound
- immersive experience for introspection
- subtle emotional shifts throughout
- fluid transitions between tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward structures
- seek immediate, upbeat gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Breathing Under Water marks Anoushka Shankar's fourth studio album, following her acclaimed release Rise in 2005. At this point in her career, Shankar was solidifying her identity as a cross-genre artist, merging traditional Indian music with contemporary influences. The album showcases her growth as a composer and performer, exploring deeper emotional landscapes than her earlier works.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ravi Shankar· Vishwa Mohan Bhatt· Zakir Hussain
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Burn 5:45
- 2 Slither 6:28
- 3 Breathing Under Water 2:30
- 4 Sea Dreamer 5:41
- 5 Ghost Story 5:47
- 6 PD7 7:21
- 7 Easy 3:32
- 8 Little Glass Folk 5:14
- 9 A Perfect Rain 4:31
- 10 Abyss 5:24
- 11 Oceanic, Part 1 4:08
- 12 Oceanic, Part 2 4:40
- 13 Reprise 1:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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