What does Human Being sound like?

A blend of soulful melodies and electronic grooves that explore the complexities of human emotion. Rooted in contemporary R&B and house. Start with "Human Beings".

Is Human Being a good place to start with Seal?

Yes, Human Being is recommended as a starting point for new Seal listeners. A blend of soulful melodies and electronic grooves that explore the complexities of human emotion. Released in 1998, Human Being was Seal's third studio album, following his successful self-titled debut and the critically acclaimed Seal II. At this juncture, Seal had established himself as a prominent figure in the contemporary R&B and pop scenes, leveraging his unique sound to further evolve his artistry. The album captures a moment where Seal grapples with themes of identity and emotional depth amidst the pressures of fame.

Who is Human Being for?

Human Being works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, long, immersive listening sessions and introspective reflective moments.

How many songs are on Human Being?

Human Being has 12 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

Human Being

Seal · 1998

51 min · 12 tracks · contemporary R&B

A blend of soulful melodies and electronic grooves that explore the complexities of human emotion.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Human Beings Start here — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's exploration of existence with a haunting melody and deeply reflective lyrics about humanity's struggles.
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Lost My Faith — This track showcases Seal's vocal range and emotional delivery, addressing themes of doubt and introspection against a backdrop of lush instrumentation.
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State of Grace — With its uplifting chorus and rhythmic pulse, this song highlights Seal's ability to blend soulful melodies with contemporary production techniques, embodying hope.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and production but lacks a cohesive narrative arc.

What we noticed

The album includes interludes that break up the flow, with 'Excerpt From' providing a reflective pause before the second half.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
long, immersive listening sessions
introspective reflective moments
melodic journeys through themes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Introduces a blend of soulful melodies and electronic grooves, differing from earlier works.
Career context: Released in 1998, Human Being was Seal's third studio album, following his successful self-titled debut and the critically acclaimed Seal II. At this juncture, Seal had established himself as a prominent figure in the contemporary R&B and pop scenes, leveraging his unique sound to further evolve his artistry. The album captures a moment where Seal grapples with themes of identity and emotional depth amidst the pressures of fame.
Stylistic neighbors: Sade· Maxwell· Lana Del Rey