Clear Day
Emilie-Claire Barlow · 2015
66 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A lush blend of jazz and pop, infused with emotive vocals and intricate arrangements that evoke a feeling of warmth and nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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On a Clear Day Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's bright, uplifting spirit, with its jazzy instrumentation and Barlow's soaring vocals that convey optimism and clarity.
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Fix You — Barlow's rendition of this Coldplay classic transforms it into a heartfelt jazz ballad, showcasing her ability to reinterpret popular songs while maintaining emotional depth.
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La llorona — With its hauntingly beautiful arrangement and Barlow's poignant delivery, this track pays homage to traditional Latin music while adding a personal touch that resonates deeply.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends original works with inventive covers, showcasing strong arrangements and vocal performance.
What we noticed
- The album opens with an original composition, 'Amundsen', which sets a reflective tone before transitioning into covers.
- Tracks feature intricate arrangements with layered instrumentation, often highlighting the interplay between vocals and jazz elements.
- Several tracks, such as 'Fix You' and 'Under Pressure', reinterpret well-known songs while maintaining a distinct jazz sensibility.
- 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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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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- layered, dense sonic textures
- emotive vocal explorations
- contemplative evening reflections
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Barlow's growth and inventive interpretations, marking an artistic high point.
- Themes
- jazz reinterpretation· cultural roots exploration· hopeful balladry
- Career context
- Clear Day marks Emilie-Claire Barlow's fifth studio album, released after her critically acclaimed album, The Beat Goes On in 2013. At this point in her career, she had established herself as a prominent figure in the Canadian jazz scene, known for her unique interpretations of classic songs and original compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cécile McLorin Salvant· Madeleine Peyroux· Norah Jones
Tracklist
- 1 Amundsen 1:00
- 2 On a Clear Day Start here 5:17
- 3 Midnight Sun 3:57
- 4 Because 4:49
- 5 Fix You 6:12
- 6 Unrequited 6:32
- 7 Under Pressure 4:58
- 8 Si j’étais un homme 4:59
- 9 It’s Just Talk 5:14
- 10 Feelin’ Groovy 4:27
- 11 La llorona 7:19
- 12 I Don’t Know Where I Stand 4:11
- 13 Sweet Thing 3:48
- 14 Mineiro de coração 3:57
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Little Broken Hearts
Norah Jones
Shares emotive vocals and lush arrangements, blending jazz with introspective themes.
For One to Love
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Explores cultural roots and jazz standards with intricate vocal delivery and rich instrumentation.
The Absence
Melody Gardot
Combines jazz influences with heartfelt balladry and sophisticated production.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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