Heart's Ease
Shirley Collins · 2020
43 min · 12 tracks · traditional folk music
A haunting blend of traditional folk melodies and contemporary arrangements that evoke nostalgia and reverence for the past.
Top tracks — play these first
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Merry Golden Tree — The opening track sets a reflective tone with its delicate instrumentation and Collins' ethereal vocals, embodying the album's spirit of nostalgia.
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Barbara Allen — This rendition of a classic ballad highlights Collins' storytelling prowess, drawing listeners into the tragic narrative through her emotive delivery.
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Crowlink — Closing the album, this track encapsulates themes of memory and place, using vivid imagery to evoke a sense of longing for home and nature.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary elements effectively but lacks a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- Collins' vocal delivery is often layered with harmonies, creating a rich texture that enhances the emotional weight of the songs.
- Several tracks incorporate field recordings or ambient sounds, adding depth and context to the musical narratives.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- intimate storytelling through song
- delicate melodies for quiet moments
- nostalgic reflections on love
- gentle pacing for relaxation
- evocative tunes for solitary walks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Shirley Collins released Heart's Ease in 2020, it marked her first studio album in over four decades since 1978's No Roses. This album was a significant return for Collins, who was a pivotal figure in the British folk revival of the 1960s, and it showcased her enduring influence and timeless vocal artistry as she revisited folk traditions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anne Briggs· Bert Jansch· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Merry Golden Tree 4:08
- 2 Rolling in the Dew 3:52
- 3 The Christmas Song 2:00
- 4 Locked in Ice 4:47
- 5 Wondrous Love 2:21
- 6 Barbara Allen 4:14
- 7 Canadee-i-o 4:13
- 8 Sweet Greens & Blues 5:28
- 9 Tell Me True 2:56
- 10 Whitsun Dance 3:07
- 11 Orange in Bloom 1:36
- 12 Crowlink 4:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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