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The Blessed Unrest
by
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The Blessed Unrest Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer-songwriter's fourth full-length studio release was produced by Mark Endert, John O'Mahony, and Kurt Uenala.
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  • Record Label: Epic
  • Genre(s): Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter
  • More Details and Credits »

Top Track

Brave
You can be amazing You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug You can be the outcast Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love Or you... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jul 17, 2013
    85
    The songwriter gets primary production credit on nine of the 12 tracks from The Blessed Unrest, and on many of them, she uses that position to build the sort of stunning and nuanced arrangements that elevate her songs beyond traditional singer/songwriter fare.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Jul 16, 2013
    83
    [Unrest finds] her channeling Fiona Apple and Florence Welch on a lovely collection of confessional sketches. [19 Jul 2013, p.87]
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  3. AllMusic
    Jul 16, 2013
    80
    Bareilles is such a naturally melodic songwriter that she doesn't run much of a risk of seeming insular on The Blessed Unrest and, fortunately, the feel of the album follows the contours of her melodies, so its melancholy is warm and inviting.
  4. Billboard.com
    Jul 16, 2013
    75
    Bareilles' new album was the result of unrest, but as its title suggests, she has positively embraced her dissatisfaction and subsequently grown as an artist.
  5. PopMatters
    Aug 7, 2013
    60
    All in all, The Blessed Unrest is a well conceived effort, but not sans flaws.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Jul 16, 2013
    50
    The Blessed Unrest is full of broad, exposition-heavy vignettes of heartache and resiliency; the songs feel groomed for rom-com soundtracks.
  7. The New York Times
    Jul 16, 2013
    50
    The Blessed Unrest is all shoulder-drooping heft, and her musical choices are vexing.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. muntingprinsipe
    Oct 19, 2013
    10
    This album is a gift to humanity. As someone who's insanely talented, we are all so blessed that she is still giving us what real music means.This album is a gift to humanity. As someone who's insanely talented, we are all so blessed that she is still giving us what real music means. This album has it all. The beat, the melody, the words, the figures, the meaning, the poetry, the music, everything. Standouts from this album are the best wedding song ever I CHOOSE YOU and the hunting ISLANDS and 1000 TIMES. There will never be another Sara Bareilles. I wish she'll have millions of albums.… Collapse
  2. Yoshipie
    Dec 21, 2013
    10
    This album is absolutely beautifully written and performed. It is really hard to come across an album where each song has meaning and evoke soThis album is absolutely beautifully written and performed. It is really hard to come across an album where each song has meaning and evoke so much emotion from the listener. Listening to the album moves you and inspires you, and the tracks touches places in your heart that you'd never thought anyone could reach. And might I add, The Blessed Unrest is an absolutely smashing name for an album. Sara Bareilles is easily the best singer-songwriter in the industry today. Also, congratulations to her for the recent Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, and the other nominations for Brave.… Expand
  4. D0uglasSantos
    Jan 2, 2014
    10
    "The Blessed Unrest" is certainly an album that demands attention, and once you hear with a refined look, you will realize that it is an album"The Blessed Unrest" is certainly an album that demands attention, and once you hear with a refined look, you will realize that it is an album that can shake her emotional structures. Every song has a unique and special meaning, and conveys what music has of better. Melodically beautiful, poetically beautifully arranged and sung sweetly. Super recommended!… Expand
  5. blueandgreen
    Jul 16, 2013
    10
    Bareilles' new album shows the same eclectic spirit as her previous releases and embraces a more adult worldview—one that says it's okay toBareilles' new album shows the same eclectic spirit as her previous releases and embraces a more adult worldview—one that says it's okay to leave love behind and explore life on your own. From beautiful future standards to morose synth-pop and more, the diversity The Blessed Unrest gives listeners whatever kind of escape they're looking for, all with the underlying tie of Bareilles' masterful and evocative songwriting.… Expand
  6. JoyTheWizard
    Jul 17, 2013
    10
    Sara Bareilles's new album proves that she is still the amazing artist who sang Love Song. Not only is the writing amazing, the composition isSara Bareilles's new album proves that she is still the amazing artist who sang Love Song. Not only is the writing amazing, the composition is inspiring. Of course, one can expect piano wherever Sara Bareilles goes. In a time where many artists are using obnoxious dubstep beats, Sara Bareilles hasn't lost sight on who she is.… Expand
  7. heyphoenix
    Nov 19, 2021
    8
    What a criminally underrated album. Sara Bareilles is a SONGWRITER first and foremost and she proves it with this record.

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