Song of the Day, April 28: Hurts by Emeli Sandé

Today’s song is a remarkable acknowledgment of pain. Emeli Sandé’s second album, Long Live the Angels, is a triumph of musical diversity and passion. The songs are informed by her struggles with sudden fame and the impact it had on her personal and romantic life.

Hurts is one of the most straightforward songs, a gospel-inspired tour-de-force that proclaims itself from the opening line. “You know my heart’s not made of stone, it hurts,” Sandé declares. That bare honesty carries through the whirlwind of song. Urgent handclaps and soaring strings make the aching track one of the most danceable on the album. The result is heartfelt and cathartic.

Enjoy this amazing performance today.