What makes Building a Beginning by Jamie Lidell notable?

The album received positive critical reception, highlighted by its reflection of personal growth and emotional depth. It was praised for its production quality and songwriting, landing high on several music publications' year-end lists and resonating well within the contemporary soul and electronica scenes. Released on October 14, 2016, 'Building a Beginning' marked Jamie Lidell's return after a five-year hiatus following his album 'Jamie Lidell'. At this point in his career, Lidell sought to redefine his sound by blending electronic elements with rich soul influences, showcasing his artistry's evolution and depth.

How many songs are on Building a Beginning?

Building a Beginning has 14 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Released 10 years ago this October

Building a Beginning

Jamie Lidell · 2016

49 min · 14 tracks · soul

Soulful melodies intertwine with electronic textures, creating a warm and introspective sonic landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Building a Beginning — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of renewal and self-discovery, combining heartfelt lyrics with Lidell's signature vocal style over lush instrumentation.
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I Live to Make You Smile — A standout love song that showcases Lidell's vocal range and emotional sincerity, capturing the essence of joy through its upbeat tempo and engaging melody.
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How Did I Live Before Your Love — This track features poignant lyrics reflecting on love and longing, supported by a rich arrangement that highlights Lidell's ability to blend genres seamlessly.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends soulful melodies with electronic textures, showcasing strong production and thoughtful songwriting.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature layered harmonies and vocal arrangements, particularly in 'I Live to Make You Smile' and 'Believe in Me'.
The album includes moments of silence or minimal instrumentation between tracks, allowing for introspection before transitioning to the next piece.
The final track ends with a gradual fade-out, creating a sense of closure while leaving some emotional resonance.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Building a Beginning 3:48
2 Julian 3:41
3 I Live to Make You Smile 3:57
4 Find It Hard to Say 2:47
5 Me and You 2:54
6 How Did I Live Before Your Love 3:22
7 Walk Right Back 3:39
8 Nothing's Gonna Change 3:09
9 In Love and Alone 2:48
10 Motionless 3:39
11 Believe in Me 3:55
12 I Stay Inside 4:04
13 Precious Years 4:17
14 Don't Let Me Let You Go 3:46

What to play next

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Jamie Lidell

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electronica soul techno

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