Is Songs from the Labyrinth a good place to start with Sting?

Yes, Songs from the Labyrinth is recommended as a starting point for new Sting listeners. A serene blend of Elizabethan lute songs and contemporary arrangements, enveloping listeners in haunting melodies and rich harmonies. Released in 2006, Songs from the Labyrinth marked a significant departure for Sting as he explored early music, specifically the works of John Dowland. This album came after his ambitious rock album Sacred Love and showcased his desire to reinterpret historical music through a modern lens, demonstrating his versatility as an artist.

Who is Songs from the Labyrinth for?

Songs from the Labyrinth works well if you're into introspective late-night reflections, haunting emotional storytelling and subtle, delicate sonic landscapes.

How many songs are on Songs from the Labyrinth?

Songs from the Labyrinth has 23 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Released 20 years ago this October

Songs from the Labyrinth

Sting · 2006

48 min · 23 tracks · jazz

A serene blend of Elizabethan lute songs and contemporary arrangements, enveloping listeners in haunting melodies and rich harmonies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Can She Excuse My Wrongs? Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Flow My Tears (Lachrimae) — This track epitomizes the emotional depth of the album, with Sting's poignant vocals layered over intricate lute melodies that capture the essence of longing.
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Have You Seen the Bright Lily Grow — The delicate interplay between voice and lute here showcases not only Sting's vocal prowess but also his ability to convey deep emotion through historical text.
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Come Again — This piece stands out for its lyrical beauty and harmonic richness, illustrating how Sting breathes new life into ancient themes of love and loss.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album blends early music with contemporary elements, showcasing strong compositions and cohesive arrangements.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of lute arrangements, with Sting's vocals layered over intricate instrumental passages throughout.
Each track is structured around a specific poem or text, often maintaining the original Elizabethan phrasing and cadence.
The pacing varies slightly, with several tracks transitioning from slower, contemplative pieces to more lively tempos without losing thematic coherence.

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: 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

introspective late-night reflections
haunting emotional storytelling
subtle, delicate sonic landscapes
short, immersive listening moments

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — This album represents a departure into early music, differing from Sting's established sound.
Themes: Elizabethan melancholy· longing for lost love
Career context: Released in 2006, Songs from the Labyrinth marked a significant departure for Sting as he explored early music, specifically the works of John Dowland. This album came after his ambitious rock album Sacred Love and showcased his desire to reinterpret historical music through a modern lens, demonstrating his versatility as an artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Peter Gabriel· David Bowie· Paul Simon