The Order of Time
by Valerie June
  • Record Label: Concord
  • Release Date: Mar 10, 2017
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 8, 2017
    100
    Her follow-up to 2013’s sublime Pushin’ Against A Stone finds Valerie June expanding her unique blend of blues, soul and mountain music to create a distinctive hybrid in which past and future coalesce with gentle power.
  2. Exclaim
    Mar 8, 2017
    90
    June is no ingénue or girl-done-wrong; her persona as a creator is both spellbinding and well versed in the ways of the world. This is the singer-songwriter as wise woman, as wickedly sharp village witch.
  3. PopMatters
    Mar 1, 2017
    90
    The Order of Time is unique and presents a confident and dynamic songwriter and performer with a rich background in stylistic and regional influences.
  5. Slant Magazine
    Feb 27, 2017
    90
    A triumph of form, The Order of Time is through and through a completely idiosyncratic take on American roots music, steeped in its tradition but not beholden to it.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 15, 2017
    89
    At times atmospheric with a grounded mysticism ("Astral Plane" and sweeping strings on "Just in Time"), June's voice still serves as mesmerizing focus, especially the slow drawl and moan of "The Front Door" and closing blast of "Got Soul."
  7. AllMusic
    Mar 8, 2017
    80
    Where the slightly showier Pushin' Against a Stone covered a wider variety of styles, The Order of Time tends to flow more smoothly and gives the feeling that you've stumbled on a 45-minute section of ongoing music that has no beginning and no end.
  8. Uncut
    Feb 27, 2017
    80
    A vivid storyteller, June approaches traditional music with a similar mix of irreverence and affection. [Apr 2017, p.30]
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  9. Mojo
    Feb 27, 2017
    80
    Valerie June's siren-like vocal delivery [is] both beautiful and tempting. [Apr 2017, p.98]
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  10. The Guardian
    Feb 27, 2017
    80
    It’s an album bursting with standouts, none more so than Astral Plane, which finds June full of childlike wonderment amid a gloriously ethereal atmosphere reminiscent of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks. Fantastic stuff.
  11. American Songwriter
    Mar 2, 2017
    70
    More ornate and richly produced than any of her previous recordings, The Order Of Time fully establishes June as a proper auteur who has long transcended any limitations as a quaint revivalist.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2017
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. popstyle
    Mar 10, 2017
    10
    This album is amazing . One of the bests albuns of 2016 without a doubt.The lycris are awsome and all the album is reaaly good .Congrats forThis album is amazing . One of the bests albuns of 2016 without a doubt.The lycris are awsome and all the album is reaaly good .Congrats for the incredible albun… Full Review »
  2. jake_gibbs
    Jun 24, 2017
    5
    I checked this out due to comparisons to Norah Jones, whose music I love. Was disappointed. Leadoff track was very good, but the remainingI checked this out due to comparisons to Norah Jones, whose music I love. Was disappointed. Leadoff track was very good, but the remaining tracks were indistinguishable and singer's voice got grating after a while.… Full Review »
  3. jethibea
    Jun 8, 2017
    8
    Excellent album with enough ear-worms throughout to warrant many repeat lessons. Beware the vinyl however, which I've noticed has some top-end issues.
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