What makes Like Hearts Swelling by Sandro Perri notable?

The album was well-received by critics, earning a spot on various year-end lists and helping to define Perri's signature style that blends folk with avant-garde influences. Its innovative production techniques and introspective songwriting have influenced subsequent Canadian indie artists seeking to merge genres creatively. Like Hearts Swelling is Sandro Perri's debut album, released in 2003 after he transitioned from his work in the Toronto indie music scene. At this point, Perri was establishing his unique voice, moving away from traditional folk influences to incorporate ambient and experimental elements into his sound.

How many songs are on Like Hearts Swelling?

Like Hearts Swelling has 5 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Like Hearts Swelling

Sandro Perri · 2003

46 min · 5 tracks · traditional folk music

Ethereal soundscapes blend with intricate guitar melodies, creating a serene yet immersive listening experience.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Romeo Heart — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melody and intricate layering of instrumentation, showcasing Perri's unique approach to songwriting.
→
Sky Histoire — At over thirteen minutes, this expansive piece exemplifies Perri's ability to create a meditative atmosphere through repetitive motifs and gradual sonic evolution, inviting deep listening.
→
Like Hearts Swelling — The title track serves as a culmination of the album’s themes, featuring poignant lyrics and an evocative arrangement that encapsulates the emotional core of the record.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate guitar work and ambient layers create a unique sound within folk music.

What we noticed

The album features long, flowing tracks that often exceed five minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes.
Guitar melodies are layered with ambient textures, creating a rich soundscape that evolves throughout each song.
Vocals are used sparingly and often harmonize with the instrumentation rather than dominate the mix.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Romeo Heart 7:55
2 Requiem for a Fox 11:04
3 Farewell 5:04
4 Sky Histoire 13:10
5 Like Hearts Swelling 9:40

What to play next

Listen next

Tiny Mirrors

2007

Go back to

The Science of Breath

2002

Full Sandro Perri discography Artists like Sandro Perri

traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata