English Rain

English Rain is the 2013 debut studio album by British artist Gabrielle Aplin, marking her transition from a self-released EP artist to a major-label mainstay under Parlophone. Produced primarily by Mike Spencer, the album successfully translated Aplin's YouTube-born intimacy into a high-fidelity studio environment. The record was preceded by her massive commercial success covering 'The Power of Love' for the John Lewis Christmas advert, which established her signature 'rainy day' aesthetic in the British public consciousness. Sonically, the album sits at the intersection of traditional folk and contemporary indie-pop, characterized by its use of piano, acoustic guitar, and light orchestral flourishes. It reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold, cementing Aplin as a central figure in the early 2010s folk-pop revival alongside artists like Birdy and Laura Marling. The inclusion of the RAK Sessions on the deluxe edition highlights the album's core strength: its ability to remain compelling even when stripped of its studio sheen.