Letter to You
by Bruce Springsteen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2020
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 64
  3. Negative: 4 out of 64
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  1. Whopp
    Jan 4, 2021
    10
    Fantastic,insightful and retrospective masterpiece, making a welcome return to thought provoking stadium filling rock and roll.
  2. Ricko
    Dec 21, 2020
    8
    There is no getting around the fact that the last E Street Band release, 2014's "High Hopes" was a disappointment. It may have been due to the fact that it was a gathering of studio odds and ends presented as an album, a lack of inspiration or a combination of both but for the most part it felt and sounded flat especially after the excellent "Wrecking Ball". "Letter to You" is a return toThere is no getting around the fact that the last E Street Band release, 2014's "High Hopes" was a disappointment. It may have been due to the fact that it was a gathering of studio odds and ends presented as an album, a lack of inspiration or a combination of both but for the most part it felt and sounded flat especially after the excellent "Wrecking Ball". "Letter to You" is a return to form and that classic big sound the Boss conjures up with his band. It is unmistakable Springsteen and its not an album of unnecessary risks. Instead he sharpens his songwriting skills and had delivered an hour of big melodies with some interesting lyrical stories. There are one or 2 tracks that stand with his better work but this is tried and trusted Bruce Springsteen. If like me, you lap that stuff up, then you will be happy with this.… Expand
  3. Mark-in-Midtown
    Dec 3, 2020
    10
    This would be a ridiculously fantastic rock album for a 30 year old rock star in his prime. It’s off-the-charts unbelievably great for a 70+ year old. This is now two brilliant and completely different albums released by Springsteen in the past 2 years. “Western Stars” and “Letter to You”. If he’s not quite matching his prime, he’s coming pretty darn close.
  4. macdonut
    Nov 16, 2020
    10
    What a fantastic album to follow the great Western Stars from last year. He captures that live feel and Ron Anielo does a great job producing a clean, crisp sounding record. I had some concerns that the inclusion of 3 near 50-year old songs would make the album disjointed like the disappointing High Hopes. However, they seem to fit in well. The new songs look back to different timesWhat a fantastic album to follow the great Western Stars from last year. He captures that live feel and Ron Anielo does a great job producing a clean, crisp sounding record. I had some concerns that the inclusion of 3 near 50-year old songs would make the album disjointed like the disappointing High Hopes. However, they seem to fit in well. The new songs look back to different times and people lost and have a very personal feel. The band are incredible and, as much as I've enjoyed the Miami Horns, Tom Morello and the e-street choir, it's great to strip that all away and go back to that early 80's sound. I think Western Stars will probably have won him more new fans with it being quite different to anything he's done before, but it's hard to imagine any long time Springsteen fan being anything but delighted with Letter to You. I hope we get the chance to see these songs performed live before too long.… Expand
  5. Cnsydm
    Nov 6, 2020
    0
    do y'all seriously eat this up? um... y'all will eat up anything this man releases and for what...
  6. jimlefferts
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    Springsteen sends a heartfelt love letter to his friends, family and fans living or passed. His goal is to express his thanks and impart a bit of wisdom is the process. He succeeds beautifully. By any objective measure this is an artful retrospective view of a man nearing the end of his life. To Springsteen fans who have followed Bruce for decades, who fully appreciate the context of thatSpringsteen sends a heartfelt love letter to his friends, family and fans living or passed. His goal is to express his thanks and impart a bit of wisdom is the process. He succeeds beautifully. By any objective measure this is an artful retrospective view of a man nearing the end of his life. To Springsteen fans who have followed Bruce for decades, who fully appreciate the context of that continuing story, this is a masterpiece ranking alongside Born to Run, Darkness and The Rising as important references to different stages of their lives.… Expand
  7. Craigdimas
    Oct 26, 2020
    6
    There are 2 distinct Springsteen periods - everything up to and including his masterpiece ‘Tunnel Of Love’, then everything else. The release of ‘Human Touch’ trashed his reputation and set the bar down to the floor. In hindsight, the accompanying ‘Lucky Town’ was the blueprint for his second period. It’s a fine modern rock record, with a more contemporary sound though sounded pretty muchThere are 2 distinct Springsteen periods - everything up to and including his masterpiece ‘Tunnel Of Love’, then everything else. The release of ‘Human Touch’ trashed his reputation and set the bar down to the floor. In hindsight, the accompanying ‘Lucky Town’ was the blueprint for his second period. It’s a fine modern rock record, with a more contemporary sound though sounded pretty much nothing like first period Springsteen. Since then, Bruce has continued to release middling albums. Mostly not terrible, but none amazing. How many tracks since would make a ‘Best Of’? ‘Youngstown’, ‘The Rising’, ‘We Take Care Of Our Own’? Arguably none. Letter To You is another middling record. There’s little inspiration here, no truly great lyrics, no really catchy songs. It’s like a late period Stones album - just enough to remind you why you loved him in the first place. Oh, and is there really no one confident enough to point out to Bruce that no one sends letters any more?… Collapse
  8. Sailor44
    Oct 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Simply a wonderful album from start to finish.
    It sounds fresh and the E Street Band is on top level.
    Springsteen' s voice is outstanding on this album and it is a great listen.    … Expand
  9. BLResnick
    Oct 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. His 20th studio album release at the age of 71 is fabulous! It is everything you could have hoped for from a mature singer-songwriter who deals with mortality, life and death through the music he makes with his familiar backing band The E Street Band! It is incredible he is still able to create great modern art! It is also worthy to note this is his most classic sounding album since The Rising!… Expand
  10. Antney12
    Oct 24, 2020
    9
    Just like last years Western Stars, this is another great album of wonderful songs. This time with the full E-Street Band!
  11. jwolfmartin
    Oct 23, 2020
    10
    Man is this good. Didn't even realize how much I wanted to hear Springsteen release this kind of record. Awesome.
  12. gwatemala
    Oct 23, 2020
    10
    Absolutely loving this. Not a bad track, burnin train, ghosts, if i were a thief. My favorite track changes with every listen.
  13. maaden_swe
    Oct 23, 2020
    10
    Simply said, amazing. I love Springsteen but this is even better than I would have thought. Favourites on the album is "Burnin´ Train", "Last Man Standing" and "House of a Thousand Guitars".

    Wow

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2020
95
#95 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Variety
    Oct 30, 2020
    88
    You can say he’s written more consistently great albums this century, but the crispness of the recording as well as the performances ensures that “Letter to You” is the best-sounding album he’s made since the 1980s.
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  2. No Ripcord
    Oct 29, 2020
    70
    While this is one of Springsteen’s most genuinely energetic and exciting releases in ages, it isn’t constantly uptempo.
    Read full review
  3. Boston Globe
    Oct 29, 2020
    80
    The record is a celebration of life and a reminder of how rock ’n’ roll can help transcend grief and loss. The E Street Band sounds rejuvenated with Roy Bittan’s piano work and Charlie Giordano’s resounding organ swirls and swells driving the songs and echoing early E Street magic.
    Read full review
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