Top tracks — play these first
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How Soon the Dawn — This opening track sets a contemplative tone, featuring haunting melodies that reflect on the passage of time and the inevitability of change.
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Southern Rain — With its lush instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics, this song embodies the fusion of Americana influences with Bugg's distinct British sound, highlighting his growth as a songwriter.
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Hearts That Strain — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of love and longing, showcasing Bugg’s ability to convey deep emotions through simple yet effective storytelling.
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 emotional depth but lacks widespread recognition.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo rhythm, while the fourth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the album's energy.
- Several tracks incorporate layered instrumentation, with strings and subtle backing vocals enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a gradual build-up in 'Every Colour in the World', culminating in a rich, full sound that contrasts with its earlier introspective moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- reflective moments of quiet
- steady pacing for easy listening
- poignant melodies for introspection
- hopeful storytelling with warmth
Maybe skip if you
- need for high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2017, Hearts That Strain is Jake Bugg's third studio album, following his self-titled debut and the more eclectic Shangri La. This album showcases a maturation in Bugg's songwriting and a deeper exploration of roots influences, marking a significant evolution from his earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Ezra· Ben Howard· Hozier
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 How Soon the Dawn 2:48
- 2 Southern Rain 3:54
- 3 In the Event of My Demise 2:54
- 4 This Time 3:14
- 5 Waiting 3:10
- 6 The Man on Stage 3:17
- 7 Hearts That Strain 3:35
- 8 Burn Alone 2:40
- 9 Indigo Blue 3:28
- 10 Bigger Lover 2:56
- 11 Every Colour in the World 3:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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