What makes Passenger by Lisa Hannigan notable?

Passenger received critical acclaim upon its release, with notable praise from publications such as The Guardian and NPR. It further established Hannigan's status within the folk genre and contributed to the resurgence of interest in contemporary Irish folk music during the early 2010s. Passenger marks Lisa Hannigan's second studio album, following her acclaimed debut, Sea Sew, in 2008. At this point in her career, Hannigan had established herself as a prominent figure in the folk music scene, having gained recognition for her unique sound and collaborations with artists like Damien Rice. This album solidified her artistic identity and showcased her growth as a songwriter.

How many songs are on Passenger?

Passenger has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Passenger

Lisa Hannigan · 2011

38 min · 10 tracks · folk music

Ethereal melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love and loss.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Home — Opening with delicate instrumentation, this track sets the emotional tone for the album, encapsulating themes of belonging and nostalgia.
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O Sleep — This song features haunting harmonies and evocative imagery that highlight Hannigan's vocal prowess while exploring deep themes of vulnerability and longing.
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Little Bird — With its uplifting melody and poignant lyrics, this track represents hope and perseverance, contrasting with some of the darker themes on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

Passenger showcases intricate songwriting and strong production, creating a cohesive and engaging listening experience.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that build in complexity, while the fourth track shifts to a more stripped-down arrangement with solo instrumentation.
Several tracks employ unconventional song structures, such as 'O Sleep', which features a gradual crescendo leading to an emotional climax.
The album closes with 'Nowhere to Go', which has a lingering, unresolved ending that leaves the listener in a reflective state.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Home 4:58
2 A Sail 3:34
3 Knots 3:31
4 What'll I Do 2:50
5 O Sleep 3:26
6 Paper House 4:16
7 Little Bird 4:00
8 Passenger 4:18
9 Safe Travels (Don't Die) 3:22
10 Nowhere to Go 4:05

What to play next

Listen next

At Swim

2016

Go back to

Sea Sew

2008

Full Lisa Hannigan discography Artists like Lisa Hannigan

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata