The Essentials cover

The Essentials

Laura Branigan · 2002

52 min · 12 tracks · folk rock · synth-pop · Italo dance

Anthemic pop melodies collide with emotive storytelling, showcasing Branigan's powerful vocals across a dynamic array of hits.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
  • emotive storytelling through vocals
  • nostalgic anthems for reflection
  • uplifting moments of empowerment

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer fast-paced instant gratification
  • seek experimental or avant-garde sounds

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2002, 'The Essentials' is a compilation album that captures Laura Branigan's vibrant career during the height of her popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s. This album follows her successful run with hits like 'Gloria' and 'Self Control,' solidifying her status as a staple in the pop music landscape. By this point, Branigan was revisiting her catalog to remind audiences of her influential contributions to the genre.
Stylistic neighbors
Kim Wilde· Cyndi Lauper· Belinda Carlisle

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Gloria 4:50
  • 2 Solitaire 4:07
  • 3 Self Control 4:07
  • 4 The Lucky One 4:10
  • 5 How Am I Supposed to Live Without You 4:29
  • 6 Spanish Eddie 4:10
  • 7 I Found Someone 4:01
  • 8 Shattered Glass 3:41
  • 9 Power of Love 5:26
  • 10 Never in a Million Years 4:08
  • 11 Ti Amo 4:18
  • 12 Moonlight on Water 4:39

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata