Self Portrait cover

Self Portrait

Lalah Hathaway · 2008

57 min · 12 tracks · jazz

Soulful melodies intertwine with jazz-infused arrangements, creating an intimate exploration of love and personal growth.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Breathe — This track showcases Hathaway's vocal range and emotional depth, making it a powerful centerpiece of the album that encapsulates its introspective nature.
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    Learning to Swim — The song's metaphorical lyrics about navigating life's challenges resonate deeply, paired with a lush arrangement that highlights Hathaway's artistry.
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    What Goes Around — With its poignant exploration of relationships and consequences, this track stands out for its lyrical maturity and intricate musical composition.

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 blends jazz and R&B with strong vocals and intricate arrangements, creating an engaging listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of lush, layered instrumentation that supports Hathaway's vocal lines throughout.
  • The first half of the album maintains a mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Let Go 4:06
  • 2 Breathe 5:04
  • 3 On Your Own 6:39
  • 4 For Always 4:22
  • 5 That Was Then 5:10
  • 6 Learning to Swim 4:35
  • 7 1 Mile 4:30
  • 8 Little Girl 4:23
  • 9 What Goes Around 5:39
  • 10 Naked Truth 4:12
  • 11 UDO 3:37
  • 12 Tragic Inevitability 5:03

What to play next

Where It All Begins
Listen next

Where It All Begins

2011
Outrun the Sky
Go back to

Outrun the Sky

2004
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata