The Sea
Corinne Bailey Rae · 2010
42 min · 11 tracks · contemporary R&B
A lush blend of soul and pop, infused with introspective lyrics and smooth, emotive melodies that resonate deeply.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Blackest Lily — This track stands out for its haunting melody and poignant exploration of loss, encapsulating the album's themes through vivid imagery and emotional depth.
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Diving for Hearts — With its rich instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this song captures the essence of longing and hope, showcasing Bailey Rae's vocal range and lyrical prowess.
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Paris Nights/New York Mornings — This track juxtaposes two vibrant cities while blending upbeat rhythms with reflective lyrics, representing Bailey Rae's ability to merge personal experience with broader narratives.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with emotional depth and varied pacing across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich, textured sound, particularly in 'Love’s on Its Way' and 'I Would Like to Call It Beauty'.
- The closing track, 'The Sea', features a gradual build-up with orchestral elements that culminate in a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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
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 melodic journey
- introspective reflective listening
- emotional depth and nuance
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Sea marks Corinne Bailey Rae's second studio album, released nearly four years after her acclaimed self-titled debut. After facing personal tragedies, including the loss of her husband, this album reflects a period of artistic reinvention as she explored deeper emotional themes and a more mature sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Norah Jones· Lianne La Havas· Emily King
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I’d Do It All Again
The moment shifts from deep regret to a bittersweet acceptance of past choices, emphasizing how experiences shape one's identity.
This transition highlights Bailey Rae's nuanced approach to storytelling, revealing resilience within vulnerability.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Are You Here 4:12
- 2 I’d Do It All Again 3:07
- 3 Feels Like the First Time 3:13
- 4 The Blackest Lily 3:37
- 5 Closer 4:17
- 6 Love’s on Its Way 3:54
- 7 I Would Like to Call It Beauty 4:18
- 8 Paris Nights/New York Mornings 3:51
- 9 Paper Dolls 3:20
- 10 Diving for Hearts 4:50
- 11 The Sea 4:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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