Released 31 years ago this October
What's Inside
Joan Armatrading · 1995
50 min · 13 tracks · pop music
A rich tapestry of introspective lyrics woven into melodic pop-rock soundscapes, showcasing Armatrading's signature storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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In Your Eyes Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its heartfelt lyrics and melodic simplicity, encapsulating Armatrading's signature style of intimate storytelling.
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Shapes and Sizes — With its catchy chorus and playful lyrics, this song highlights Armatrading's ability to blend whimsy with deeper reflections on identity and love.
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Can't Stop Loving You — A powerful ballad that showcases Armatrading's vocal range and emotional delivery, it resonates with themes of enduring affection despite challenges.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong lyrical storytelling but lacks some cohesion in pacing and flow.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the sixth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the album's energy.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, with strings and backing vocals enhancing the melodic lines without overwhelming them.
- The lyrics across the album often employ vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, creating a narrative thread that connects many of the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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 pacing for reflective moments
- introspective lyrics for deep thinking
- rich melodies for cozy evenings
- uplifting tunes for gentle motivation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, fast-paced music
- seek immediate, catchy hooks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in Armatrading's mid-90s career.
- Career context
- By the time 'What's Inside' was released in 1995, Joan Armatrading had already established herself as a prominent singer-songwriter with a career spanning over two decades. This album followed her successful 1992 release 'Square the Circle', and it marked a continuation of her exploration into personal themes and diverse musical styles, reflecting her evolution as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joni Mitchell· Laura Marling· Nick Drake
Tracklist
- 1 In Your Eyes Start here 2:42
- 2 Everyday Boy 4:37
- 3 Merchant of Love 4:49
- 4 Shapes and Sizes 3:15
- 5 Back on the Road 2:42
- 6 Lost the Love 3:42
- 7 Songs 3:49
- 8 Would You Like to Dance 4:01
- 9 Recommend My Love 4:29
- 10 Beyond the Blue 3:52
- 11 Can't Stop Loving You 3:25
- 12 Shape of a Pony 4:42
- 13 Trouble 4:06
What to play next
Lovers Speak
2003
Continues the introspective themes with a fresh sonic palette.
Square the Circle
1992
Sets the stage with similar melodic elements and storytelling style.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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