By the Way I Forgive You
by Brandi Carlile
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Feb 16, 2018
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. The A.V. Club
    Feb 16, 2018
    91
    As the title implies, Brandi Carlile’s sixth studio album is about deriving strength from forgiveness and gratitude. But the lovely, languid folk songs on By The Way, I Forgive You also offer nuanced looks at life’s everyday complications.
  2. Variety
    Mar 30, 2018
    90
    It’s rare that a performer who’s inherently this capable of registering so much heart and soul can be such a cool cucumber when she wants to. Her lyrical and vocal reserve on so many of the tracks gives the moments of pure emotion that much more impact when they come.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 5, 2018
    89
    Empathetic and hopeful, By the Way rivals breakout The Story as Carlile's best.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Mar 6, 2018
    89
    Brandi Carlile has always aimed high. On By the Way, I Forgive You, she aims higher than ever before, this time with her best songs and exquisite production on her side.
  6. AllMusic
    Feb 16, 2018
    80
    By the Way I Forgive You is a different beast than its predecessor, a record with more texture, shade, and ambiguity: it is clearly the work of a maturing artist and it's all the richer for it.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Feb 16, 2018
    80
    Across the 10-track LP, the folk-tinged singer belts with gusto. ... The album's strongest moments, however, are Carlile's riskier departures towards the LP's end.
  8. Slant Magazine
    Feb 16, 2018
    80
    The most emotionally direct and revealing album she’s to released to date.
  9. Pitchfork
    Feb 20, 2018
    69
    The album’s a tad awkward, like many projects steeped in the mild tea of sincerity, but By the Way, I Forgive You is the necessary next step in a shrewdly managed career. Brandi Carlile requires no forgiveness from us.
  10. Uncut
    Feb 16, 2018
    60
    The album's best tracks are those where Carlile strides beyond the confines of orthodox pop-country. [Apr 2018, p.24]
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  11. Spin
    Feb 21, 2018
    50
    Brandi Carlile works too hard on By The Way I Forgive You, and though sometimes this results in songs haunted by mourning, it also leads to songs that collapse into bathos.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 4 out of 36
  1. Taiga_mac
    Feb 1, 2020
    0
    This was garbage, like I've never heard a worse album, there were no good songs at all, highly over rated, honestly I hate this brandi'sThis was garbage, like I've never heard a worse album, there were no good songs at all, highly over rated, honestly I hate this brandi's music



    *jjjjjjsjsjdjd    … Full Review »
  2. Mark1998
    Apr 29, 2019
    8
    A somewhat nostalgic and dark album, Brandi Carlile's project reflects USA's political climate. Exploring other subjects such as motherhoodA somewhat nostalgic and dark album, Brandi Carlile's project reflects USA's political climate. Exploring other subjects such as motherhood and forgiveness, the singer encourages everyone to let behind our ghosts of the past so that we can continue moving forward to the future.
    Standout tracks: The Joke, Hold Out Your Hand, Most Of All, Harder To Forgive.    … Full Review »
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