Cry Pretty
by Carrie Underwood
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. AllMusic
    Sep 14, 2018
    90
    Underwood is taking risks for the first time. Nearly all of them pay off. ... The result is an album as satisfying as it is surprising.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Sep 21, 2018
    83
    Here the bluesy “Drinking Alone” transports you to a smoky bar where two lonely strangers find each other above their beer bottles, while “The Bullet” is a strong and surprising anti-gun-violence message from a country star. But it’s Underwood’s considerable resilience that shines through here.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Sep 14, 2018
    83
    At its best, she’s never sounded more vulnerable, or more willing to play within the definitions of country music. But it also means that when she pulls back, and falls into the costumes of others, it’s a little harder to accept the veil. ... It’s the second half of Cry Pretty where Underwood starts to truly lay her cards on the table--and where she soars the most.
  5. Consequence
    Sep 17, 2018
    75
    For her sixth studio album, Carrie Underwood has taken some modest political risks without changing her full-throated style. She knows what she’s good at, and Cry Pretty is full of the kind of songs that made her one of the most popular artists in the world.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Sep 14, 2018
    70
    The songcraft is grade-A mall soundtracking, and credit Underwood’s mighty mezzo-ish soprano with selling even the lesser ones.
  7. Paste Magazine
    Sep 19, 2018
    64
    Underwood nails two tried and true country traditions: the drinking-to-death heart-wrencher (“Spinning Bottles”) and the faith-based, family-first hymn (“Kingdom”), proving both times that big, emotional ballads remain her bread and butter. Much of the rest of the album finds Underwood exploring pop and R&B sounds more than ever before. Sometimes, she’s successful. ... Sometimes, she’s not so successful.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 130
  3. Negative: 50 out of 130
  1. JeremyClarkson
    Sep 18, 2018
    0
    Honestly, is there a more dull music "artist" in the universe than this Carrie Underwood? I doubt it. And this album did nothing to changeHonestly, is there a more dull music "artist" in the universe than this Carrie Underwood? I doubt it. And this album did nothing to change that. Besides, how can you call Carrie a real artist when she is manufactured by the ghastly Idol machine? It's sad that we live in times where people honour reality television stars.… Full Review »
  2. BillboardPayola
    Sep 18, 2018
    0
    This album is wack. No seriously it is. The same, whiny country-pop we expect from this boring-ass girl. There are boosters of this album thatThis album is wack. No seriously it is. The same, whiny country-pop we expect from this boring-ass girl. There are boosters of this album that call it "experimental." Seriously? You call this "experimental"? Music artists like Beyoncé, Janelle Monáe, Solange, Kendrick Lamar, Kehlani, The Weeknd, and even Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott have experimented with several genres. And they have excelled at it, as they are visionaries compared to Carrie Underwood. Yet you don't see them widely praised as Carrie Underwood is, as they still have many detractors. It's up to you to see why. And it's frustrating.… Full Review »
  3. Luci899
    Sep 14, 2018
    0
    This was supposed to be her most personal album and it wasn’t personal at all. Lyrically it isn’t interesting and songs like The Bullet andThis was supposed to be her most personal album and it wasn’t personal at all. Lyrically it isn’t interesting and songs like The Bullet and Spinning Bottles feel out of place here. She still screams through her songs. I also don’t like the pop production.… Full Review »
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