Released 9 years ago this October
Waves
Rachel Platten · 2017
45 min · 13 tracks · pop music
An uplifting blend of pop anthems and reflective ballads, woven together with themes of resilience and self-discovery.
Top tracks — play these first
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Broken Glass — This track encapsulates the album's message of empowerment, using vivid imagery to illustrate overcoming adversity and achieving personal strength.
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Whole Heart — Featuring an infectious chorus, this song emphasizes vulnerability in love, showcasing Platten's knack for blending emotion with catchy pop hooks.
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Grace — A poignant closer, this ballad highlights introspection and acceptance, revealing a more vulnerable side of Platten while beautifully balancing melody and lyricism.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends uplifting anthems with reflective ballads, showcasing solid writing and production but lacking standout depth.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half shifts to more reflective ballads.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the anthemic quality of the songs.
- The lyrics throughout focus on themes of resilience and self-discovery, often using repetitive phrases for emphasis.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 energy levels
- uplifting, motivational themes
- introspective moments for reflection
- suitable for daily routines
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2017, Waves marked Rachel Platten's third studio album, following her breakthrough success with the hit single 'Fight Song'. At this point in her career, she was navigating newfound fame while exploring deeper emotional themes in her songwriting after a significant rise to prominence.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sara Bareilles· Katy Perry· Colbie Caillat
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Broken Glass
The song shifts from recounting struggles to a triumphant declaration of resilience.
This transition transforms the narrative from personal pain into a collective anthem, inviting listeners to join in the embrace of strength and recovery.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Perfect for You 3:36
- 2 Whole Heart 3:11
- 3 Collide 3:25
- 4 Keep Up 3:35
- 5 Broken Glass 2:59
- 6 Shivers 2:55
- 7 Loose Ends 3:31
- 8 Labels 2:59
- 9 Loveback 3:22
- 10 Hands 3:54
- 11 Fooling You 3:49
- 12 Good Life 3:46
- 13 Grace 4:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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