Soul
Seal · 2008
45 min · 12 tracks · contemporary R&B
A smooth blend of classic soul covers infused with Seal's rich, emotive vocals and contemporary arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
A Change Is Gonna Come Start here — This track captures the essence of hope and resilience, with Seal's heartfelt delivery paying tribute to the civil rights anthem originally by Sam Cooke.
-
→
I Can’t Stand the Rain — Seal's rendition transforms this classic into a haunting ballad, emphasizing emotional vulnerability through his powerful vocal performance.
-
→
Stand by Me — This iconic song is reimagined with a contemporary touch, allowing Seal's voice to shine against a backdrop of lush instrumentation that evokes deep connection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Seal's 'Soul' effectively blends classic covers with modern arrangements, showcasing his vocal strength.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush string arrangements that complement Seal's vocal delivery throughout.
- Each track is a cover of a classic soul song, with reinterpretations that maintain the original melodies while adding contemporary production elements.
- The pacing is steady, with most tracks maintaining a mid-tempo feel, creating a smooth flow from one song to the next.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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, consistent energy levels
- heartfelt emotional reflections
- introspective late-night listening
- immersive vocal performances
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — A stylistic shift to classic soul covers, differing from his previous sound.
- Career context
- In 2008, Seal released 'Soul' as his sixth studio album, following his previous work 'System' from 2007. This album marked a stylistic shift for Seal as he embraced classic soul songs, showcasing his vocal prowess and emotional depth while appealing to a broader audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sade· Maxwell· Lana Del Rey
Tracklist
- 1 A Change Is Gonna Come Start here 3:54
- 2 I Can’t Stand the Rain 3:34
- 3 It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World 3:53
- 4 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) 4:09
- 5 I’ve Been Loving You Too Long 3:08
- 6 It’s Alright 3:46
- 7 If You Don’t Know Me by Now 3:50
- 8 Knock on Wood 3:22
- 9 I’m Still in Love With You 4:36
- 10 Free 3:26
- 11 Stand by Me 4:06
- 12 People Get Ready 3:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.