Is Make a Move a good place to start with Gavin DeGraw?

Yes, Make a Move is recommended as a starting point for new Gavin DeGraw listeners. A blend of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics that capture both vulnerability and resilience in a polished pop sound. Make a Move is Gavin DeGraw's fourth studio album, released after his successful album Sweeter in 2011. At this point, he was transitioning into a more refined sound while maintaining his blue-eyed soul roots, showcasing his growth as both a songwriter and a performer.

Who is Make a Move for?

Make a Move works well if you're into steady pacing for easy listening, heartfelt moments of introspection and catchy melodies for sing-alongs.

How many songs are on Make a Move?

Make a Move has 11 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 13 years ago this October

Make a Move

Gavin DeGraw · 2013

38 min · 11 tracks · blue-eyed soul

A blend of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics that capture both vulnerability and resilience in a polished pop sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Best I Ever Had Start here — This track encapsulates DeGraw's emotive vocal style, combining heartfelt lyrics about lost love with an uplifting melody that became a fan favorite.
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Make a Move — The title track combines rhythmic energy with an infectious chorus, highlighting DeGraw's ability to craft songs that resonate with listeners on both emotional and danceable levels.
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Who's Gonna Save Us — The song addresses themes of vulnerability and seeking support amidst life's challenges, showcasing DeGraw's lyrical depth while maintaining a catchy hook.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases polished production and solid songwriting but lacks strong cohesion across its length.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the album's energy.
Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies and prominent piano arrangements, creating a polished sound throughout.
The last two tracks incorporate more rhythmic variation, with 'Different for Girls' featuring a notable shift in tempo and style.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

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 pacing for easy listening
heartfelt moments of introspection
catchy melodies for sing-alongs
uplifting themes for motivation

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, urgent tracks
seek experimental or avant-garde sounds

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Solid entry in DeGraw's catalog but not widely recognized as a standout album.
Themes: lost love reflections· soulful resilience· support in vulnerability
Career context: Make a Move is Gavin DeGraw's fourth studio album, released after his successful album Sweeter in 2011. At this point, he was transitioning into a more refined sound while maintaining his blue-eyed soul roots, showcasing his growth as both a songwriter and a performer.
Stylistic neighbors: John Legend· Ryan Tedder· Marc Broussard