LP5
John Moreland · 2020
41 min · 11 tracks · alternative country
A reflective blend of Americana and alternative country, steeped in raw emotion and introspective lyricism.
Top tracks — play these first
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Harder Dreams — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melody and deeply personal lyrics about striving for unfulfilled aspirations.
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I’m Learning How to Tell Myself the Truth — This track encapsulates Moreland's lyrical prowess, exploring themes of self-acceptance and honesty through a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength.
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When My Fever Breaks — Possessing a compelling narrative arc, this song reflects on pain and healing, making it a standout moment that showcases Moreland's ability to convey complex emotions.
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Let Me Be Understood — This closing track resonates with its earnest plea for connection and understanding, summarizing the album’s overarching themes of introspection and honesty.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
LP5 showcases strong songwriting and emotional depth, supported by effective production choices.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a steady mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track introduces a more reflective tone with sparse instrumentation.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics, particularly in tracks like 'I Always Let You Burn Me to the Ground'.
- The album closes with a gradual build-up in 'Let Me Be Understood', which features an extended instrumental outro that contrasts with the earlier lyrical focus.
- 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
- intimate storytelling with raw emotion
- reflective moments for quiet contemplation
- haunting melodies for late nights
- short tracks for quick introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seek upbeat, danceable rhythms
- prefer high-energy listening sessions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time of LP5's release in February 2020, John Moreland had established himself as a notable figure in the Americana scene with his previous album, Big Bad Luv, receiving critical acclaim in 2017. This album marks his fifth studio effort, showcasing his continued evolution as a songwriter and artist, further solidifying his reputation for poignant storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jason Isbell· Sturgill Simpson· Tyler Childers
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Harder Dreams 4:23
- 2 A Thought Is Just a Passing Train 5:24
- 3 East October 3:45
- 4 I’m Learning How to Tell Myself the Truth 3:18
- 5 Two Stars 1:21
- 6 Terrestrial 4:19
- 7 In Times Between 3:18
- 8 When My Fever Breaks 3:41
- 9 I Always Let You Burn Me to the Ground 4:35
- 10 For Ichiro 1:42
- 11 Let Me Be Understood 5:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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