Wanderlust
Sophie Ellis-Bextor · 2014
40 min · 11 tracks · folk music
Eclectic pop melodies intertwine with folk-inflected storytelling and danceable rhythms, creating a vibrant sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Birth of an Empire Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Runaway Daydreamer — This track encapsulates the album's whimsical spirit with its lush production and playful lyrics about escapism, making it a standout single.
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Young Blood — The energetic chorus and infectious beat showcase Ellis-Bextor's ability to merge pop with dance elements, embodying the album's vibrant essence.
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Cry to the Beat of the Band — This song features poignant lyrics that reflect on resilience and joy amidst challenges, highlighting the album’s thematic depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends genres effectively but lacks a strong cohesive narrative throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature upbeat tempos and layered instrumentation, while the fourth track introduces a more subdued, narrative-driven style.
- The album includes an interlude that serves as a transition, breaking up the flow and altering the pacing before returning to full songs.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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 groove throughout
- uplifting vibes for afternoon
- reflective moments with melodic layers
- danceable tracks for social settings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic albums
- seek deep, introspective listening
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a strong return after a hiatus, showcasing continued artistic vitality.
- Career context
- Released in early 2014, Wanderlust is Sophie Ellis-Bextor's fifth studio album and marks her return after a five-year hiatus. Following the moderately successful Make a Scene in 2011, this album showcases her evolution as an artist, steering towards more personal themes and a diverse sound palette.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Robyn· Dua Lipa· Kylie Minogue
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Love Is a Camera
The narrator shifts from external observations to deeply personal reflections on love and perception.
This transition enriches the narrative by blending metaphor with vulnerability, showcasing the complexity of relationships.
Tracklist
- 1 Birth of an Empire Start here 3:48
- 2 Until the Stars Collide 3:39
- 3 Runaway Daydreamer 4:00
- 4 The Deer & the Wolf 3:54
- 5 Young Blood 4:28
- 6 Interlude 2:23
- 7 13 Little Dolls 3:32
- 8 Wrong Side of the Sun 3:50
- 9 Love Is a Camera 4:13
- 10 Cry to the Beat of the Band 3:39
- 11 When the Storm Has Blown Over 3:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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