To the Sunset
by Amanda Shires
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. AllMusic
    Sep 19, 2018
    90
    To the Sunset isn't splashy: it's handsome and layered, alluring upon the first impression but revelatory upon revisits.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Aug 6, 2018
    88
    Shires’ fifth album, is in some ways an attempt to bust down some of the cliches that inevitably attach themselves to an artist stereotyped in that way (acoustic, folk, introspective, sad). And it does the job well. Shires’ way with words is still very much intact.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Aug 23, 2018
    85
    It’s not that To the Sunset finds Shires wandering further--it’s that she’s digging deeper, with the same diligence and abundance of talent she’s been drawing from all along.
  5. Blurt Magazine
    Aug 10, 2018
    80
    To The Sunset becomes a new plateau in a career that’s grown steadily and assuredly since the start. Indeed, its importance ought to grow over time given its unabashed enthusiasm and its unabashedly seductive set-up.
  6. Exclaim
    Aug 8, 2018
    80
    To the Sunset is relatively brief, but it marks a substantial--and very successful--shift for Shires towards a progressive, literate and ambitious blend of rock, folk and pop music. It may also just be her finest album yet.
  7. PopMatters
    Aug 6, 2018
    80
    Musically, she does something different, bringing what she needs to each song, breaking away from genre into something that you could shelve on about any rack, and probably should.
  8. The Skinny
    Aug 3, 2018
    80
    Once again working with Americana producer du jour Dave Cobb, Shires uses this record to push her sound to another level.
  9. Rolling Stone
    Aug 3, 2018
    80
    If anyone expected a drift into sentimentality, her writing’s just gotten bolder, with arrangements that stretch the definition of “Americana” to the point of meaninglessness (Shires won the “Best Emerging Artist” trophy at last years Americana Music Awards).
  10. Uncut
    Aug 1, 2018
    80
    To The Sunset suggests that she's not growing ay more inclined to sit still, and is her best yet. [Sep 2018, p.28]
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  11. Boston Globe
    Aug 1, 2018
    80
    With both her words and music, Shires isn’t holding herself back on To the Sunset, and though the left turns might take some getting used to for old fans, her growing conviction in herself as a songwriter and frontwoman is enough reason to stick around.
  12. Mojo
    Aug 1, 2018
    80
    We should've seen this one coming. And still it's a gut punch. [Sep 2018, p.89]
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  13. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 1, 2018
    80
    Musically progressive, it’s Shires most ambitious work to date; nasty, stomping Southern rock sits next to poppier fare and several moments of quiet introspection.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. jiml777
    Aug 31, 2018
    10
    My first experience with Amanda Shires and boy am I impressed. I have always liked Dolly Parton's voice and respected her songwriting talent,My first experience with Amanda Shires and boy am I impressed. I have always liked Dolly Parton's voice and respected her songwriting talent, but wasn't a fan of her more mainstream country hits. This is like finding Dolly playing at a local club, electronic music and all. The music pushes past a bunch of labels, alternative, folk, and country, just don't do enough to describe her music, which is beautiful with a bit of an edge. My favorite is the closest to a country/pop song on the whole album, and I think a good intro, Leave it Alone has a great hook and will leave you humming and singing the chorus all day long!… Full Review »
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