Released 10 years ago
Secular Hymns
Madeleine Peyroux · 2016
33 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A soulful blend of jazz and folk-infused storytelling that weaves emotional depth through richly textured melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Got You on My Mind — The album opener sets the tone with its infectious rhythm and heartfelt lyrics, capturing Peyroux's ability to blend warmth with sophistication.
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Hard Times Come Again No More — This poignant cover resonates deeply with listeners, transforming a classic into a haunting meditation on resilience during difficult times.
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Shout Sister Shout — With its lively tempo and gospel roots, this track showcases Peyroux's versatility while invoking a sense of communal upliftment and joy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and folk elements but lacks a strong cohesive narrative throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- Peyroux's vocal delivery often employs a conversational tone, allowing for a storytelling approach that varies between tracks.
- Several tracks feature sparse instrumentation, allowing Peyroux's voice to take center stage, while others build up with richer arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- introspective emotional depth
- mid-tempo reflective moments
- lyrical storytelling focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Secular Hymns marks Madeleine Peyroux's sixth studio album, following her 2013 release, The Blue Room. By this time, she had established herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary jazz and chanson, building on her earlier successes while exploring deeper themes in her songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Norah Jones· Diana Krall· Cassandra Wilson
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Hard Times Come Again No More
Peyroux shifts from a reflective narrative to a powerful plea for hope amidst struggles.
This transition heightens the emotional impact, bringing a sense of urgency and vulnerability that invites listeners to confront their own hardships.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Got You on My Mind 4:30
- 2 Tango Till They’re Sore 3:24
- 3 The Highway Kind 2:46
- 4 Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On) 3:15
- 5 If the Sea Was Whiskey 3:06
- 6 Hard Times Come Again No More 4:16
- 7 Hello Babe 3:11
- 8 More Time 3:22
- 9 Shout Sister Shout 2:42
- 10 Trampin’ 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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