What does Released sound like?

Soulful melodies intertwine with powerful vocal performances, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and rhythm. Rooted in R&B and soul. Start with "Give It Up (The Dawning of Rejection)".

Is Released a good place to start with Patti LaBelle?

Yes, Released is recommended as a starting point for new Patti LaBelle listeners. Soulful melodies intertwine with powerful vocal performances, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and rhythm. Released marked Patti LaBelle's first solo album after her departure from the group Labelle, showcasing her transition into a successful solo artist. By 1980, she had established herself as a prominent figure in R&B, and this album was a pivotal step in solidifying her solo career.

Released works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove, soulful melodies for dancing and uplifting anthems for celebration.

How many songs are on Released?

Released has 9 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released

Patti LaBelle · 1980

40 min · 9 tracks · rhythm and blues

Soulful melodies intertwine with powerful vocal performances, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and rhythm.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Love Has Finally Come — This track showcases LaBelle's powerful vocal range and emotional delivery, embodying themes of hope and fulfillment that resonate throughout the album.
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Give It Up (The Dawning of Rejection) Start here — Opening the album, this song sets a tone of empowerment and resilience as LaBelle navigates through rejection with vigor and soul.
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I Don’t Go Shopping — This playful track combines upbeat rhythms with clever lyrics about self-sufficiency, demonstrating LaBelle's ability to blend humor and heart in her music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album features strong vocal performances and varied arrangements, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track that sets a soulful tone, followed by a ballad that showcases LaBelle's vocal range.
Several tracks feature prominent horn sections and lush string arrangements, adding depth to the overall sound.
The last three tracks shift towards more upbeat tempos, creating a dynamic contrast to the earlier ballads.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove
soulful melodies for dancing
uplifting anthems for celebration
vibrant rhythms for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced music
seek short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked her transition to a solo career, gaining wider recognition and chart success.
Themes: self-empowerment anthems· post-group identity· intimate love stories
Career context: Released marked Patti LaBelle's first solo album after her departure from the group Labelle, showcasing her transition into a successful solo artist. By 1980, she had established herself as a prominent figure in R&B, and this album was a pivotal step in solidifying her solo career.
Stylistic neighbors: Gladys Knight· Aretha Franklin· Chaka Khan