What makes Four Days Away by John Mark Nelson notable?

Four Days Away received positive critical reception, noted for its lyrical depth and musical arrangements. It has been recognized for its contribution to the contemporary folk genre, influencing upcoming artists with its emphasis on personal narratives and atmospheric soundscapes. By the release of Four Days Away, John Mark Nelson had already established himself as a notable figure in the indie folk scene with his previous albums. This album followed his 2013 release, Waiting and was significant as it showcased his evolving sound, characterized by deeper introspection and maturity in songwriting.

How many songs are on Four Days Away?

Four Days Away has 10 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Four Days Away

John Mark Nelson · 2017

37 min · 10 tracks

A contemplative blend of folk and indie pop, marked by intimate storytelling and atmospheric instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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True Love — This track encapsulates the album's emotional core with its exploration of love's complexities set against a haunting melody.
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Where Does That Leave Us? — The song stands out for its poignant questioning of relationships and uncertainty, reflecting the album's overarching themes.
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This Wilderness — With vivid imagery and reflective lyrics, this track highlights Nelson's ability to merge nature with personal introspection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album's introspective lyrics and layered arrangements create a cohesive yet familiar folk sound.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered instrumentation, with strings and soft percussion complementing the acoustic guitar throughout.
The lyrical themes often revolve around introspection and relationships, with a narrative style that invites listeners to engage deeply with the stories being told.

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

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 May 29th, 2017 1:34
2 True Love 3:43
3 Backwards 3:57
4 All the Same 4:41
5 Sarah (Interlude) 2:54
6 Where Does That Leave Us? 2:29
7 This Wilderness 5:23
8 New 3:35
9 The End 4:50
10 Little Notions 4:21

What to play next

Listen next

Start Over

2020

Go back to

I'm Not Afraid

2015

Full John Mark Nelson discography Artists like John Mark Nelson

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata