Released 20 years ago
On Leaving
Nina Nastasia · 2006
34 min · 12 tracks · folk music
Intimate folk melodies intertwine with haunting stories, creating an atmosphere that is both reflective and deeply personal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Jim's Room — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its delicate instrumentation and introspective lyrics, drawing listeners into Nastasia's world.
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Why Don't You Stay Home — The song features a compelling narrative about longing and isolation, showcasing Nastasia’s ability to weave complex emotions into accessible melodies.
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Lee — At nearly five minutes long, this track encapsulates the album’s themes of memory and loss, employing rich imagery that highlights Nastasia's evocative storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Nina Nastasia's intimate songwriting and minimal arrangements create a reflective atmosphere throughout the album.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent use of fingerpicked guitar patterns that create a gentle, flowing backdrop for the vocals.
- Several tracks utilize sparse instrumentation, allowing the lyrics to take center stage, particularly in 'Dumb I Am' and 'One Old Woman'.
- The album closes with two tracks that gradually slow down in tempo, creating a reflective mood as it concludes.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- haunting melodies for introspection
- short tracks for quick listens
- vulnerability in lyrical storytelling
- for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeks upbeat party atmosphere
- prefers longer musical explorations
Where this album fits
- Career context
- On Leaving is Nina Nastasia's third studio album, following 2004's Run to Ruin. At this point in her career, she had begun to establish herself within the indie folk scene, known for her distinct voice and poignant songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lisa Hannigan· Sufjan Stevens· Joanna Newsom
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Jim's Room 2:37
- 2 Brad Haunts a Party 1:56
- 3 Our Day Trip 1:55
- 4 Counting Up Your Bones 2:42
- 5 Dumb I Am 2:00
- 6 Why Don't You Stay Home 3:29
- 7 One Old Woman 2:58
- 8 Treehouse Song 2:16
- 9 Lee 4:56
- 10 Settling Song 3:24
- 11 Bird of Cuzco 2:47
- 12 If We Go to the West 2:54
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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