When You Grow Up
Priscilla Ahn · 2011
45 min · 12 tracks · folk music
Ahn's ethereal vocals float over delicate folk melodies, creating a warm and introspective atmosphere throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
When You Grow Up — This title track encapsulates the album's theme of nostalgia and reflection, with its poignant lyrics exploring the transition from childhood to adulthood.
-
→
I Don't Have Time to Be in Love — This track stands out for its catchy melody and relatable exploration of modern love's complexities amid life's distractions.
-
→
Empty House — With haunting vocals and minimalist instrumentation, this song captures a sense of longing and solitude that resonates deeply throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Ahn's gentle melodies and introspective lyrics create a cohesive and distinct folk sound throughout the album.
What we noticed
- The first track features a slow build with layered harmonies that gradually introduce the instrumentation, setting a reflective tone.
- Several tracks incorporate subtle shifts in dynamics, such as 'I Don't Have Time to Be in Love,' which contrasts soft verses with a more pronounced chorus.
- The album closes with two tracks that utilize minimal instrumentation, allowing Ahn's vocals to take center stage and create an intimate atmosphere.
- 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
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 reflective moments
- soothing background ambiance
- gentle emotional exploration
- nostalgic evening listening
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When You Grow Up is Priscilla Ahn's second studio album, following her debut, A Good Day, released in 2008. At this point in her career, Ahn had begun to cultivate a distinct sound characterized by gentle instrumentation and intimate lyricism, further establishing her presence in the folk music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ingrid Michaelson· Lisa Hannigan· Sufjan Stevens
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 When You Grow Up 3:03
- 2 One Day I Will Do 4:16
- 3 Oo La La 3:13
- 4 Vibe So Hot 2:25
- 5 City Lights (Pretty Lights) 3:23
- 6 I Don't Have Time to Be in Love 3:26
- 7 Cry Baby 3:14
- 8 Lost Cause 4:09
- 9 Empty House 4:26
- 10 I Will Get Over You 3:42
- 11 Elf Song 4:16
- 12 Torch Song 5:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.