LP1 cover

LP1

Joss Stone · 2011

40 min · 10 tracks · blues

Soulful melodies interweave with bluesy grooves, showcasing a blend of heartfelt emotion and contemporary rhythm.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Newborn Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Karma — This track showcases Joss Stone's vocal range and emotional depth, blending R&B rhythms with poignant lyrics about love's complexities.
  • →
    Don't Start Lying to Me Now — With its catchy chorus and retro soul vibe, this song captures Stone's ability to merge classic influences with contemporary sounds seamlessly.
  • →
    Drive All Night — This track stands out for its evocative storytelling and smooth instrumentation, illustrating Stone's growth as both a vocalist and songwriter.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100
Foothills
Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and vocal performance but lacks significant cultural footprint.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a slow, soulful track that sets a reflective tone, followed by mid-tempo grooves in the next few songs.
  • Several tracks feature prominent horn sections that enhance the bluesy feel, particularly in 'Karma' and 'Drive All Night'.
  • The last three tracks shift towards more introspective themes, with stripped-back arrangements that highlight Stone's vocal delivery.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo emotional exploration
  • soulful reflections on heartache
  • for cozy evenings
  • thoughtful background for conversations

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking fast-paced excitement
  • prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Showcases mature sound and vocal prowess after a brief hiatus.
Themes
love's complexities· retro soul revival· evocative storytelling
Moods
Romantic· Chill
Career context
Released in 2011, LP1 marked Joss Stone's fifth studio album and her first under the S-Curve Records label after a brief hiatus from the music scene. At this point in her career, she was seeking to rediscover her sound following a few commercially underperforming albums, aiming for a more authentic expression of her artistry.
Stylistic neighbors
Adele· Etta James· Leon Bridges

Tracklist

  • 1 Newborn Start here 3:43
  • 2 Karma 3:54
  • 3 Don't Start Lying to Me Now 4:08
  • 4 Last One to Know 4:52
  • 5 Drive All Night 5:07
  • 6 Cry Myself to Sleep 3:51
  • 7 Somehow 3:04
  • 8 Landlord 3:57
  • 9 Boat Yard 5:02
  • 10 Take Good Care 2:35

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata