Uptown Special
Mark Ronson · 2015
38 min · 11 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant blend of funk, R&B, and pop that radiates infectious energy and retro grooves.
Top tracks — play these first
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Uptown Funk — This track not only dominated charts worldwide but also redefined contemporary funk for a new generation, blending retro influences with modern pop sensibilities.
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Feel Right — With its driving beat and infectious horns, this track encapsulates the album's playful vibe while showcasing Ronson's ability to craft danceable anthems.
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Daffodils — Featuring Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, this track stands out for its dreamy instrumentation and melodic intricacies that highlight Ronson's versatility as a producer.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends vibrant funk and R&B elements with strong production but lacks some depth for lasting engagement.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken word introduction that sets a narrative tone, followed by tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove.
- Several tracks feature prominent brass sections and layered vocal harmonies, creating a rich, textured sound throughout.
- The last two tracks shift in mood, with 'Leaving Los Feliz' introducing a more introspective vibe before concluding with the reflective 'Crack in the Pearl, Part II'.
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- energetic groove-driven moments
- short, engaging listening sessions
- vibrant background energy
- wave-like pacing and flow
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2015, Uptown Special marked Mark Ronson's fourth studio album and his first since the Grammy-winning success of Uptown Funk. At this point in his career, Ronson had established himself as a prominent producer and artist with a distinctive sound, leveraging collaborations with artists like Bruno Mars to amplify his reach.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bruno Mars· Pharrell Williams· Dua Lipa
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Uptown’s First Finale 1:38
- 2 Summer Breaking 3:07
- 3 Feel Right 3:42
- 4 Uptown Funk 4:29
- 5 I Can’t Lose 3:16
- 6 Daffodils 4:58
- 7 Crack in the Pearl 2:25
- 8 In Case of Fire 4:33
- 9 Leaving Los Feliz 4:18
- 10 Heavy and Rolling 3:57
- 11 Crack in the Pearl, Part II 2:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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