Life Love Flesh Blood
Imelda May · 2017
44 min · 11 tracks · rockabilly
A fusion of rockabilly rhythms and modern pop sensibilities, layered with soulful vocals and poignant storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black Tears — This track stands out for its haunting melody and emotional depth, exploring themes of heartbreak with raw vulnerability that showcases May's vocal prowess.
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Human — The song captures the essence of the album's introspective nature, highlighting the struggles of self-acceptance amidst a backdrop of infectious energy.
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The Girl I Used to Be — In this reflective ballad, May delves into personal transformation and nostalgia, marking it as a significant emotional anchor on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track, followed by a series of songs that gradually introduce more varied tempos and instrumentation.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which enhance the emotional impact of the lyrics.
- The final track employs a stripped-down arrangement, contrasting with the fuller sound of earlier songs, creating a reflective closing moment.
- 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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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
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
- narrative-driven listening experience
- mid-tempo reflective moments
- emotional storytelling journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Imelda May released Life Love Flesh Blood in 2017, she was already an established artist known for her unique blend of rockabilly and contemporary music. This album marked her first release after a three-year hiatus and her transition to a more personal sound following the end of her marriage. It represents a pivotal moment in her career as she sought to redefine her artistic identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Duffy· Amy Winehouse· Laura Marling
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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When It’s My Time
The bridge shifts from introspection to a forward-looking resolve, embracing change and acceptance without fear.
This moment signifies a turning point in the narrative, reflecting growth and resilience that contrasts with earlier themes of struggle.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Call Me 3:27
- 2 Black Tears 4:03
- 3 Should’ve Been You 3:38
- 4 Sixth Sense 4:14
- 5 Human 3:40
- 6 How Bad Can a Good Girl Be 3:27
- 7 Bad Habit 4:42
- 8 Levitate 3:33
- 9 When It’s My Time 5:16
- 10 Leave Me Lonely 4:01
- 11 The Girl I Used to Be 4:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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