You Wanted to Be the Shore But Instead You Were the Sea


You Wanted to Be the Shore But Instead You Were the Sea is an album by American-Australian singer-songwriter Natalie D-Napoleon, released in Australia in 2020 and North America and Europe in 2021.

Reception

The album debuted on the Australian Independent Record Labels Association 100% Independent Chart at number five for the week beginning October 6, reaching number one on the week beginning November 16.
Writing for XPress Magazine, music critic Conor Lochrie said about the album; "This is a raw and honest record and one that clearly values vulnerability." Reviewing the album for PopMatters, Scott M. Morrison, said the album "is audacious, assured, disarming, and even vulnerable." and said of its approach to the subject matter; "It does not idolize or embellish the women whose stories it tells. It does them a far greater service – it gives them an honest voice."

Track listing

All songs by Natalie D-Napoleon, except where noted.
  1. "Thunder Rumor" – 4:04
  2. "How to Break a Spell" – 3:53
  3. "Wildflowers" – 3:13
  4. "Second Time Around" – 4:50
  5. "Soft" – 5:08
  6. "No Longer Mine" – 3:57
  7. "You Wanted to Be the Shore But Instead You Were the Sea" – 4:40
  8. "Gasoline & Liquor" – 4:07
  9. "Mother of Exiles" – 3:46
  10. "Reasons" – 3:56
  11. "Cut Your Hair" – 3:33
  12. "Broken" – 4:57

Personnel

Production notes

  • James Connolly – producer, engineer
  • Natalie D-Napoleon - producer
  • Jesse Rhodes – engineer, mixing
  • Dan Phillips - mixing
  • David Locke – mastering
  • Brett Leigh Dicks – photography, design