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Total Freedom
by
Total Freedom Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length release for the Canadian singer-songwriter in eight years was co-produced by Jim Bryson and Ian Fitchuk.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. AllMusic
    Aug 14, 2020
    80
    Total Freedom is aptly named, as these songs are the work of a songwriter who demands no more and no less; now more than ever, Kathleen Edwards is living and making music in a way that honors her own spirit, and it reminds us why you don't take the work of someone this talented for granted.
  2. Uncut
    Aug 10, 2020
    80
    Its 10 songs sing with warmth, love, gratitude and lessons learned. [Sep 2020, p.37]
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  3. PopMatters
    Aug 10, 2020
    80
    The songs are lyrically delightful and melodically charming. It's unclear how autobiographical the lyrics sung in the first person are, and it really doesn't matter. These are songs about friends and lovers, good times and bad relationships, the freshness of youth and getting older, to which almost everybody can relate. Edwards' delightfully delivers her insights, even the unpleasant ones.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Aug 13, 2020
    80
    There’s no con on Total Freedom—just a welcome progress report from a musician who took the time she needed, and returns stronger and wiser than she was before, with a first-class collection of songs to prove it.
  5. Pitchfork
    Aug 17, 2020
    78
    These are unsparing accounts of tough subjects, but Edwards navigates each song with tenderness and humor, allowing her to tear apart old idioms (“Love is blind/Whoever bought that line must be a real sucker”) or invent new ones (“Love is simple math/I can be a total pain in the ass”).
  6. No Ripcord
    Oct 23, 2020
    70
    The storytelling on display is just as sharp and compelling—even if, from a musical sense, Edwards could've expanded on her radio-friendly arrangements a little bit more.
  7. American Songwriter
    Aug 10, 2020
    60
    While her singing remains strong and she is emoting about issues close to her, these tracks would benefit from more musical muscle. Regardless, even if Total Freedom isn’t her finest work, it’s encouraging that Edwards has returned to releasing new material and doing what she does best.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. User_alex
    Sep 1, 2020
    10
    as good as ‚since back to me’ and ‚asking for flowers‘. that means: its perfect and for sure better than the rest! song-writing ist brilliantas good as ‚since back to me’ and ‚asking for flowers‘. that means: its perfect and for sure better than the rest! song-writing ist brilliant and to the point, but her souful singing is something else ...… Expand
  2. egads9
    Aug 16, 2020
    7
    It's wonderful to hear from Kathleen again, like an old friend whom you haven't spoken to in a long time. Although I don't think Total FreedomIt's wonderful to hear from Kathleen again, like an old friend whom you haven't spoken to in a long time. Although I don't think Total Freedom is her strongest work - that honor still goes to "Asking For Flowers" - it's definitely the sound of a singer/songwriter who feels comfortable in her own skin again. Hopefully we won't have to wait another eight years for a new record, because the world needs Kathleen Edwards songs in it.… Expand
  4. dxntwannadie
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    This album simply isn't as good as it is said to be. The songs and lyrics are mediocre.

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