North of a Miracle
Nick Heyward · 1983
66 min · 17 tracks · new wave
Bright, melodic new wave infused with introspective lyrics and synth-driven arrangements that evoke a sense of youthful nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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Whistle Down the Wind — This track exemplifies Heyward's knack for blending catchy hooks with introspective lyricism, capturing both an infectious melody and a poignant narrative about longing.
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Blue Hat for a Blue Day — With its vibrant instrumentation and playful lyrics, this song reflects the album's overall aesthetic of joy intertwined with deeper emotional themes.
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Take That Situation — 'Take That Situation' stands out for its rhythmic complexity and lyrical exploration of relationships, demonstrating Heyward’s growth as a songwriter in a solo context.
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On a Sunday — This track showcases a more reflective side of Heyward's songwriting, balancing upbeat melodies with contemplative lyrics about life’s simple moments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and synth arrangements but lacks cohesion due to bonus tracks altering flow.
What we noticed
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
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
- youthful nostalgia in bright melodies
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- for reflective afternoon walks
- inviting sing-along choruses
- wave-like pacing with varied moods
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike introspective lyrical themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- North of a Miracle is Nick Heyward's debut solo album following his tenure with Haircut 100, a prominent band in the early 1980s UK pop scene. Released in 1983, it marked Heyward's transition from frontman to solo artist, showcasing his distinct songwriting style while retaining the catchy melodies that characterized his previous work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Lotus Eaters· Squeeze· Aztec Camera
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 When It Started to Begin 3:49
- 2 Blue Hat for a Blue Day 4:04
- 3 Two Make It True 4:21
- 4 On a Sunday 4:02
- 5 Club Boy at Sea 3:51
- 6 Whistle Down the Wind 3:40
- 7 Take That Situation 3:19
- 8 The Kick of Love 4:35
- 9 The Day It Rained Forever 4:33
- 10 Atlantic Monday 5:10
- 11 Whistle Down the Wind (12" mix) 4:54
- 12 Take That Situation (Rhythm mix) 3:53
- 13 Café Canada 2:46
- 14 Love at the Door 1:56
- 15 Don't Get Me Wrong 3:40
- 16 Stolen Tears 3:04
- 17 Laura 4:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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