World on the Ground
Sarah Jarosz · 2020
35 min · 10 tracks · country music
A heartfelt blend of folk and Americana that navigates themes of home, loss, and personal reflection with delicate instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hometown — This track captures the essence of nostalgia and longing through vivid imagery, resonating with anyone who has ever felt disconnected from their roots.
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I'll Be Gone — With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, this song explores themes of departure and self-discovery, making it a standout moment in the album.
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Empty Square — This track combines intricate instrumentation with reflective lyrics about absence and memory, serving as a powerful meditation on loss.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and skilled instrumentation, though it follows familiar themes in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a soft, fingerpicked guitar that sets a reflective tone, which is maintained through the first half of the tracklist.
- Several tracks feature layered harmonies and subtle instrumental arrangements, creating a rich soundscape that supports the lyrical themes.
- The tempo varies throughout, with some songs like 'I'll Be Gone' introducing a more upbeat rhythm, while others like 'Empty Square' slow down for introspection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- reflective storytelling with depth
- steady mid-tempo flow throughout
- for quiet afternoons
- intimate moments of nostalgia
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2020, World on the Ground is Sarah Jarosz's fourth studio album, following her Grammy-winning project Undercurrent from 2016. At this point in her career, Jarosz had solidified her reputation as a skilled songwriter and musician, showcasing a mature sound that reflects her growth since her debut at just 16 years old.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aoife O'Donovan· Punch Brothers· The Civil Wars
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Maggie
The verse shifts perspective to reflect on memories shared with a loved one, creating an intimate connection to the listener's own experiences.
This structural choice deepens the emotional impact by moving from general reflections to specific moments that personalize the narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Eve 3:27
- 2 Pay It No Mind 3:17
- 3 Hometown 3:00
- 4 Johnny 4:00
- 5 Orange and Blue 3:38
- 6 I'll Be Gone 3:36
- 7 Maggie 3:30
- 8 What Do I Do 3:24
- 9 Empty Square 3:20
- 10 Little Satchel 4:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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