The Ride
Nelly Furtado · 2017
45 min · 12 tracks · contemporary R&B
A reflective blend of contemporary R&B and folk-infused pop, buoyed by Nelly Furtado's emotive vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cold Hard Truth Start here — Opening with a stark piano melody, this track sets the tone for the album's reflective nature, addressing themes of honesty and vulnerability.
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Live — This track showcases Furtado's ability to blend upbeat rhythms with poignant lyrics about embracing life, capturing the essence of her artistic growth.
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Phoenix — Concluding the album, this song embodies resilience and rebirth, encapsulating Furtado's journey through personal struggles and triumphs.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends reflective lyrics with varied tempos, showcasing Furtado's growth while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a gradual build in intensity through the first half.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing emotional resonance.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a contemplative atmosphere that contrasts with the more upbeat earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 journey
- vulnerability in personal storytelling
- uplifting moments of resilience
- suitable for introspective afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer standalone singles over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows Nelly Furtado's continued artistic growth after a long hiatus.
- Themes
- personal struggle· introspective reflection· resilience and rebirth
- Moods
- Introspective· Chill
- Career context
- By the time 'The Ride' was released in 2017, Nelly Furtado had enjoyed a diverse career spanning nearly two decades, transitioning from her breakthrough debut album 'Whoa, Nelly!' in 2000 to various stylistic reinventions. This album marked her return after a five-year hiatus following 'The Spirit Indestructible' and represents a return to introspection and personal storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Shakira· Janelle Monáe· Colbie Caillat
Tracklist
- 1 Cold Hard Truth Start here 2:54
- 2 Flatline 3:21
- 3 Carnival Games 4:17
- 4 Live 4:03
- 5 Paris Sun 3:29
- 6 Sticks and Stones 3:34
- 7 Magic 4:02
- 8 Pipe Dreams 4:23
- 9 Palaces 3:31
- 10 Tap Dancing 4:10
- 11 Right Road 3:28
- 12 Phoenix 4:25
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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