Sweeter
Gavin DeGraw · 2011
38 min · 10 tracks · blue-eyed soul
An uplifting blend of blue-eyed soul and pop, layered with heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Not Over You — This track stands out for its emotional resonance, featuring poignant lyrics about unresolved feelings following a breakup, paired with an infectious chorus that highlights DeGraw's vocal prowess.
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Sweeter Start here — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's theme of bittersweet nostalgia, blending upbeat instrumentals with reflective lyrics that explore love's complexities.
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Run Every Time — This song showcases DeGraw's signature style with its soulful melody and introspective lyrics about vulnerability and the challenges of moving forward after heartache.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but doesn't significantly stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the album's energy.
- Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics.
- The album closes with a track that features a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of reflection.
- 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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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- mid-tempo background listening
- uplifting moments of clarity
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Beloved by dedicated fans for its melodic hooks and lyrical depth.
- Career context
- By the time 'Sweeter' was released in 2011, Gavin DeGraw had already established himself as a chart-topping artist with hits like 'I Don't Want to Be'. This album marked his fourth studio release, following the critically appreciated 'Free', and showcased a more polished sound while exploring themes of love and heartbreak.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Legend· Ryan Tedder· Marc Broussard
Tracklist
- 1 Sweeter Start here 3:43
- 2 Not Over You 3:38
- 3 Run Every Time 3:06
- 4 Soldier 3:31
- 5 Candy 4:38
- 6 You Know Where I'm At 3:21
- 7 Stealing 4:17
- 8 Radiation 4:17
- 9 Where You Are 4:21
- 10 Spell It Out 3:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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