Light Up the Dark
Gabrielle Aplin · 2015
45 min · 12 tracks · traditional folk music
A luminous blend of folk-pop melodies and introspective lyrics that invite listeners to reflect on love and self-discovery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Light Up the Dark Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of hope and vulnerability through its uplifting melody and poignant lyrics about embracing change.
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Skeleton — This track stands out for its haunting vocal delivery and introspective lyrics that explore themes of emotional exposure and honesty.
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Hurt — 'Hurt' offers raw vulnerability with its minimalist arrangement, showcasing Aplin's powerful vocals as she navigates feelings of pain and resilience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends polished pop with folk elements, showcasing solid songwriting and production but lacks standout uniqueness.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that gradually transition into more introspective ballads in the second half.
- Several songs utilize layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, creating a rich sound texture.
- 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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5/10
- 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 emotional exploration
- reflective moments of connection
- uplifting themes of resilience
- background for thoughtful conversations
- suitable for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a significant evolution in her sound and wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in early 2015, Light Up the Dark is Gabrielle Aplin's second studio album, following her debut English Rain from 2013. This album marked a significant evolution in her sound, moving towards a more polished pop production while retaining her folk roots, showcasing her artistic growth during this phase of her career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lucy Rose· Birdy· Laura Marling
Tracklist
- 1 Light Up the Dark Start here 4:16
- 2 Skeleton 3:37
- 3 Fools Love 4:05
- 4 Slip Away 3:52
- 5 Sweet Nothing 2:53
- 6 Heavy Heart 3:55
- 7 Shallow Love 3:59
- 8 Anybody Out There 3:09
- 9 Hurt 4:13
- 10 Together 2:45
- 11 What Did You Do? 4:21
- 12 A While 4:23
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Something's Changing
Lucy Rose
Shares introspective lyrics and a folk-pop sound that explores themes of self-discovery and emotional growth.
I Forget Where We Were
Ben Howard
Offers a similar blend of emotive storytelling and polished production, reflecting on personal journeys.
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
Features rich, reflective songwriting with a focus on emotional vulnerability and familial themes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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