Love and Its Opposite
Tracey Thorn · 2010
37 min · 10 tracks · indie pop
A contemplative blend of indie pop melodies and introspective lyrics that explore the intricacies of love and loss.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hormones — This track captures the conflicting emotions surrounding love and desire, showcasing Thorn's knack for blending catchy melodies with poignant lyrics.
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Come On Home to Me — The song's tender plea for connection highlights Thorn's emotional vulnerability, making it a standout representation of the album's intimate themes.
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Swimming — With its lush instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this track encapsulates the album’s exploration of longing and introspection beautifully.
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, with introspective themes that resonate over multiple listens.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that features a steady, mid-tempo beat and layered synths, establishing a reflective mood.
- Several tracks incorporate sparse instrumentation, allowing Thorn's vocals to take center stage, particularly in 'Why Does the Wind?' which features only piano accompaniment.
- 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 mid-tempo reflective moments
- intimate ballads for quiet evenings
- heartfelt lyrics on love's complexities
- for solo afternoon listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer instant gratification sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2010, Love and Its Opposite marks Tracey Thorn's first solo album in eight years, following her acclaimed work with Everything But the Girl. By this point, Thorn had established herself as a significant voice in British music but was navigating her identity post-EBTG's commercial peak, which had left her yearning for a more personal expression.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Beth Orton· Lana Del Rey· Fiona Apple
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Oh, the Divorces! 4:15
- 2 Long White Dress 3:53
- 3 Hormones 3:07
- 4 Kentish Town 3:29
- 5 Why Does the Wind? 5:00
- 6 You Are a Lover 3:11
- 7 Singles Bar 3:28
- 8 Come On Home to Me 3:33
- 9 Late in the Afternoon 3:20
- 10 Swimming 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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