Cerulean Salt
Waxahatchee · 2013
32 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
Intimate melodies intertwine with raw, confessional lyrics, creating a contemplative soundscape that feels both personal and universal.
Top tracks — play these first
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You're Damaged — This track encapsulates the album's themes of vulnerability and self-reflection, featuring poignant lyrics that address personal flaws with stark honesty.
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Dixie Cups and Jars — With its vivid imagery and emotional depth, this song showcases Crutchfield's lyrical prowess while highlighting the tension between nostalgia and regret.
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Brother Bryan — This standout track combines melodic hooks with introspective lyrics about familial relationships, illustrating Crutchfield's ability to blend personal narrative with universal themes.
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Lips and Limbs — Its haunting melody paired with evocative lyrics captures a sense of longing and unease, effectively representing the emotional core of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intimate songwriting and lo-fi production create a personal yet relatable experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of stripped-down instrumentation, primarily guitar and vocals, allowing the lyrics to take center stage.
- Tracks often employ a verse-chorus structure, but several songs include unexpected shifts in dynamics that create moments of tension.
- The pacing varies significantly; for instance, the first half is more upbeat while the second half slows down with introspective tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- introspective moments of self-reflection
- short tracks for focused sessions
- steady flow with emotional depth
- raw confessions that resonate deeply
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, sprawling albums
- seek upbeat party energy
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Cerulean Salt is Waxahatchee's second album, following the debut American Weekend released in 2012. At this point in her career, Katie Crutchfield had begun to establish herself as a significant voice in the indie music scene, drawing from her experiences and shifting personal narratives. The album marks a transition into more polished production while maintaining the emotional honesty that characterized her earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Phoebe Bridgers· Margaret Glaspy· Julien Baker
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hollow Bedroom 1:51
- 2 Dixie Cups and Jars 3:36
- 3 Lips and Limbs 2:37
- 4 Blue Part II 2:19
- 5 Brother Bryan 2:36
- 6 Coast to Coast 1:46
- 7 Tangled Envisioning 2:27
- 8 Misery Over Dispute 1:45
- 9 Lively 2:32
- 10 Waiting 1:41
- 11 Swan Dive 3:14
- 12 Peace and Quiet 2:37
- 13 You're Damaged 3:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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