What makes Panic Cord by Gabrielle Aplin notable?

The title track, 'Panic Cord', saw considerable commercial success, charting in the UK and receiving critical acclaim for its lyrical depth and emotional resonance. The EP not only solidified Aplin's presence in the music scene but also led to increased interest in her subsequent work, highlighting her growth as a singer-songwriter in the contemporary folk genre. When 'Panic Cord' was released in May 2013, Gabrielle Aplin had already gained significant recognition with her debut album, 'English Rain', which had come out just a year earlier. This EP followed her commercial success and showcased her evolution as an artist who was starting to experiment with different production styles while retaining her folk roots.

How many songs are on Panic Cord?

Panic Cord has 4 tracks, running approximately 16 minutes.

Panic Cord

Gabrielle Aplin · 2013

16 min · 4 tracks · traditional folk music

An intricate blend of folk-inspired melodies and atmospheric production, layered with introspective lyrics and Aplin's delicate vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Panic Cord — The lead track captures the essence of Aplin's sound, combining heartfelt lyrics about anxiety and vulnerability with a lush musical backdrop that underscores her vocal prowess.
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Please Don't Say You Love Me — This song stands out for its poignant exploration of love and fear, blending catchy hooks with an emotional narrative that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Dreams — A reflective piece that showcases Aplin's ability to craft introspective lyrics, it balances a dreamy soundscape with an earnest vocal delivery, further expanding her artistic range.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The EP features strong melodies and introspective lyrics but lacks cohesion due to its remix tracks.

What we noticed

The title track features a steady tempo with layered instrumentation that builds gradually, creating an atmospheric backdrop for the vocals.
Aplin's vocal delivery is soft and intimate, often accompanied by minimalistic guitar and piano arrangements that highlight the lyrical content.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Solidified Aplin's reputation after her debut album, gaining commercial success.
Themes: anxiety in love· introspective dreams· vulnerable confessions
Career context: When 'Panic Cord' was released in May 2013, Gabrielle Aplin had already gained significant recognition with her debut album, 'English Rain', which had come out just a year earlier. This EP followed her commercial success and showcased her evolution as an artist who was starting to experiment with different production styles while retaining her folk roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Lucy Rose· Birdy· Laura Marling