Released 10 years ago
Changes
Charles Bradley · 2016
40 min · 11 tracks · blues
A heart-wrenching blend of soul and funk that channels raw emotion through Bradley's powerful, raspy vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Changes — The emotional centerpiece of the album, this track poignantly explores themes of grief and resilience, showcasing Bradley's unparalleled vocal delivery.
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Good to Be Back Home — This track captures a sense of warmth and belonging, featuring an uplifting melody that contrasts beautifully with the album's heavier themes.
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Ain't Gonna Give It Up — With its infectious groove and passionate lyrics, this track embodies Bradley's spirit and determination, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Bradley's powerful vocals and orchestral backing create a distinct sound that resonates emotionally.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of orchestral arrangements, with strings and horns complementing Bradley's vocal delivery throughout.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, allowing for emotional crescendos that highlight Bradley's raspy voice.
- The title track 'Changes' stands out as a slower ballad, contrasting with the more upbeat tempos of the surrounding songs.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
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
- heartfelt expressions of vulnerability
- moments of soulful reflection
- slow-burning emotional crescendos
- intimate late-night listening sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek purely instrumental music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2016, 'Changes' was Charles Bradley's third studio album and came after his acclaimed 2013 debut, 'No Time for Dreaming'. This record reflects a period of personal turmoil for Bradley, including the loss of his adopted brother just before recording began.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings· Lee Fields· James Hunter
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 God Bless America 1:31
- 2 Good to Be Back Home 3:04
- 3 Nobody but You 4:00
- 4 Ain't Gonna Give It Up 3:56
- 5 Changes 5:46
- 6 Ain't It a Sin 3:52
- 7 Things We Do for Love 3:31
- 8 Crazy for Your Love 4:21
- 9 You Think I Don't Know (But I Know) 3:30
- 10 Change for the World 3:36
- 11 Slow Love 3:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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