Essar
Smokey Robinson · 1984
41 min · 9 tracks · soul
A smooth blend of soulful melodies and reflective lyrics, capturing the essence of love's complexities.
Top tracks — play these first
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And I Don't Love You Start here — This track opens the album with heartfelt vulnerability, showcasing Robinson's signature vocal style and emotional storytelling.
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Train of Thought — Its intricate arrangement and introspective lyrics reflect on the complexity of love, making it a pivotal moment in the album.
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Gone Forever — The poignant exploration of loss in this song highlights Robinson's ability to convey deep emotion through simple yet powerful lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it significantly.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the subsequent tracks introduce varying tempos and arrangements.
- The album closes with a track that features an extended instrumental section, allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
- steady mid-tempo reflective vibes
- smooth melodies for intimate moments
- thoughtful listening during solitude
- emotional exploration of love
Maybe skip if you
- seeking energetic party anthems
- prefer quick, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a notable return and showcases continued vitality in Robinson's artistry.
- Career context
- By the time 'Essar' was released in January 1984, Smokey Robinson had already established himself as a significant figure in soul music. This album followed his 1981 project 'Smokey,' showcasing his continued evolution as both an artist and songwriter during a period of shifting musical landscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Marvin Gaye· Al Green· The Temptations
Tracklist
- 1 And I Don't Love You Start here 5:20
- 2 Train of Thought 4:55
- 3 I Can't Find 6:15
- 4 Why Are You Running From My Love 4:20
- 5 Gone Forever 3:10
- 6 Close Encounters of the First Kind 4:35
- 7 Little Girl Little Girl 5:12
- 8 Girl I'm Standing There 4:25
- 9 Driving Thru Life in the Fast Lane 3:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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