Is Whatever's for Us a good place to start with Joan Armatrading?

Yes, Whatever's for Us is recommended as a starting point for new Joan Armatrading listeners. A blend of introspective lyrics and melodic folk-rock, showcasing Armatrading's unique voice and storytelling prowess. Released in 1972, 'Whatever's for Us' is Joan Armatrading's second studio album, following her self-titled debut from the previous year. At this point, she was beginning to establish herself as a distinctive voice in British music, blending elements of folk and rock and drawing attention for her lyrical depth and vocal delivery.

Who is Whatever's for Us for?

Whatever's for Us works well if you're into intimate storytelling with soft melodies, steady pacing for reflective moments and mid-tempo flow for easy listening.

How many songs are on Whatever's for Us?

Whatever's for Us has 16 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Whatever's for Us

Joan Armatrading · 1972

45 min · 16 tracks · pop music

A blend of introspective lyrics and melodic folk-rock, showcasing Armatrading's unique voice and storytelling prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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My Family Start here — Opening with a heartfelt reflection on familial bonds, this track sets the tone for the album's emotional exploration of relationships.
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City Girl — This track stands out with its vibrant storytelling about urban life, showcasing Armatrading's knack for painting vivid pictures through her lyrics.
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Whatever's for Us — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's themes of acceptance and uncertainty, delivered in Armatrading's signature emotive style.
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Child Star — A poignant commentary on fame and its consequences, this track highlights Armatrading's ability to tackle complex subjects within her songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

Armatrading's blend of folk-rock and introspective lyrics creates a distinctive sound, though cohesion dips in the latter half.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks utilize a call-and-response structure between Armatrading's vocals and instrumental sections, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
The album includes both solo piano and full band arrangements, creating contrast in texture across different songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

intimate storytelling with soft melodies
steady pacing for reflective moments
mid-tempo flow for easy listening
poignant reflections on life
thoughtful background for conversations

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album established Armatrading's reputation and critical acclaim as a singer-songwriter.
Career context: Released in 1972, 'Whatever's for Us' is Joan Armatrading's second studio album, following her self-titled debut from the previous year. At this point, she was beginning to establish herself as a distinctive voice in British music, blending elements of folk and rock and drawing attention for her lyrical depth and vocal delivery.
Stylistic neighbors: Joni Mitchell· Laura Marling· Nick Drake