The Cost of Loving
The Style Council · 1987
42 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A smooth blend of blue-eyed soul and soft rock, infused with jazz nuances and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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It Didn’t Matter — This opening track captures the album's reflective mood with its rich instrumentation and poignant exploration of love's complexities.
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Right to Go — With its infectious groove and catchy chorus, this track exemplifies the band's ability to blend pop sensibilities with deeper lyrical themes.
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The Cost of Loving — The title track encapsulates the album's central theme, using soulful melodies to underscore the emotional weight of relationships.
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A Woman’s Song — This track stands out for its intimate perspective, offering a rare glimpse into female experiences through its evocative storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and soft rock with introspective lyrics, showcasing melodic sophistication but lacking standout tracks.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more contemplative piano arrangement.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, but the instrumentation often takes precedence over lyrics.
- The album closes with a track that features an extended instrumental outro, allowing the music to linger after the final vocal line.
- 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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5/10
- 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 mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective vibes for quiet evenings
- smooth melodies for relaxed listening
- thoughtful narratives in each track
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, fast-paced songs
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time The Cost of Loving was released in 1987, The Style Council had established themselves as a prominent force in the UK music scene following their debut album, Café Bleu. This album marked a transitional phase for the band, showcasing their evolving sound while maintaining their commitment to social themes and personal storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sade· The Blow Monkeys· Jamiroquai
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 It Didn’t Matter 5:49
- 2 Right to Go 5:15
- 3 Heavens Above 6:14
- 4 Fairy Tales 4:09
- 5 Angel 4:32
- 6 Walking the Night 4:34
- 7 Waiting 4:29
- 8 The Cost of Loving 4:21
- 9 A Woman’s Song 3:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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