Heartleap
Vashti Bunyan · 2014
34 min · 10 tracks · folk music
Ethereal melodies intertwine with reflective lyrics, evoking a sense of nostalgia and introspection throughout the album's gentle folk sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Across the Water — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting vocals and serene instrumentation, encapsulating Bunyan's signature style of poetic storytelling.
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Holy Smoke — The song features intricate harmonies and a mesmerizing melody that highlight Bunyan's ability to blend personal reflection with universal themes.
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Heartleap — The title track serves as a poignant culmination of the album, weaving together themes of love and longing through its evocative lyrics and delicate arrangement.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Heartleap showcases intimate songwriting and lush arrangements, marking a notable return after decades.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of soft, fingerpicked guitar patterns that create a gentle backdrop for the vocals.
- Each track typically employs layered harmonies, often with Bunyan's voice accompanied by subtle instrumental textures.
- The lyrics across the album reflect personal and introspective themes, often using nature imagery to evoke emotion.
- 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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8/10
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Holy Smoke
A contemplative moment where the narrative shifts from personal experience to broader reflections on life’s impermanence and beauty.
This shift expands the song’s emotional depth, inviting listeners to ponder their own experiences alongside Bunyan’s poignant observations.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Across the Water 3:47
- 2 Holy Smoke 4:48
- 3 Mother 3:29
- 4 Jellyfish 3:41
- 5 Shell 4:08
- 6 The Boy 1:39
- 7 Gunpowder 3:04
- 8 Blue Shed 2:11
- 9 Here 3:18
- 10 Heartleap 4:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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