Part of the Light cover

Part of the Light

Ray LaMontagne · 2018

46 min · 9 tracks · folk music

A warm blend of folk melodies and introspective lyrics, evoking a sense of wandering through life's complexities.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    To the Sea Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Such a Simple Thing — This track stands out for its poignant exploration of love and longing, encapsulating LaMontagne's signature emotive vocal style paired with soothing instrumentation.
  • →
    Part of the Light — The title track serves as a thematic anchor for the album, where LaMontagne navigates complex emotions with an uplifting melody that invites introspection.
  • →
    As Black as Blood Is Blue — Delving into darker themes, this song showcases LaMontagne’s ability to evoke vivid imagery while maintaining a haunting yet beautiful musical arrangement.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with moments of introspection and layered arrangements.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more subdued, reflective tone.
  • Several songs feature layered instrumentation that builds gradually, creating a rich sonic texture.
  • The album closes with a track that features minimal instrumentation, allowing the vocals to take center stage and evoke a sense of resolution.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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 mid-tempo reflective moments
  • introspective listening on quiet evenings
  • warm melodies for deep reflection
  • emotional connection through lyrical storytelling

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of high-energy tracks
  • prefer fast-paced instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Shows continued evolution and strength in songwriting in LaMontagne's later career.
Themes
complex emotions· introspective wandering· love and longing
Career context
Released in 2018, Part of the Light marks Ray LaMontagne's sixth studio album, showcasing his continued evolution as a songwriter. Following the commercially successful Ouroboros (2016), this album presents a more reflective and personal sound, indicating LaMontagne's willingness to explore deeper themes.
Stylistic neighbors
Iron & Wine· Damien Rice· Nick Drake
New to Ray LaMontagne? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Goodbye Blue Sky

    The closing lines shift from contemplation to acceptance, symbolizing closure after struggle.

    This transition emphasizes growth and resolution, marking a significant emotional pivot that encapsulates the album's journey.

Tracklist

  • 1 To the Sea Start here 5:12
  • 2 Paper Man 4:25
  • 3 Part of the Light 4:20
  • 4 It's Always Been You 5:37
  • 5 Let's Make It Last 4:27
  • 6 As Black as Blood Is Blue 4:45
  • 7 Such a Simple Thing 4:58
  • 8 No Answer Arrives 5:14
  • 9 Goodbye Blue Sky 7:06

What to play next

Monovision
Listen next

Monovision

2020

Continues the introspective themes with a fresh sonic landscape.
Ouroboros
Go back to

Ouroboros

2016

Precedes it with a similar warmth and exploration of life's complexities.
Full Ray LaMontagne discography Where to start with Ray LaMontagne Artists like Ray LaMontagne

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Punisher

Punisher

Phoebe Bridgers

Shares introspective lyrics and a warm, haunting atmosphere exploring complex emotions.

Beast Epic

Beast Epic

Iron & Wine

Offers a similarly reflective folk sound with intricate storytelling and themes of love and longing.

Carrie & Lowell

Carrie & Lowell

Sufjan Stevens

Explores deep emotional landscapes with a delicate folk approach, evoking a sense of introspective wandering.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata