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. Exclaim
    Sep 14, 2018
    60
    The album is frustrating, with no middle ground, and the strengths don't quite make up for the weaknesses.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Sep 14, 2018
    50
    The singer, no surprise, sets off all kinds of vocal fireworks. But as the painfully familiar images in “Southbound” demonstrate--another pontoon boat?--the songs on Cry Pretty (most of which Underwood co-wrote) cast these emotions and experiences in such generalized terms that it’s hard to come away with a clear sense of a human in the world. TThe effect is of a gifted strategist trying to cover all her bases.
  3. PopMatters
    Oct 4, 2018
    60
    Her voice as a lyricist (she co-wrote two-thirds of the songs) tends to drift just a little, with the more specific songs working better. With the thick production on the album, it models radio trends but doesn't advance them. Given Underwood's talents, it would be exciting to see her craft a character-driven album and some quieter production.
  5. The Guardian
    Sep 14, 2018
    40
    It is all gloss and shine, with sadness at industry-approved levels of maximum efficacy. Take 75% uplift, add 20% melancholy, top up with 5% not actually contentious controversy, and voilà: Cry Pretty.
  6. Uncut
    Sep 20, 2018
    50
    Overall it's a box-ticking collection unlikely to broaden her mainstream fanbase. [Nov 2018, p.37]
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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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