-
10.0
122267
10.0 |
The Independent
It’s excruciating in its honesty – even for Lenker, who’s hardly known for shying away from her feelings. Now she bares her pain with complete abandon. It’s quite extraordinary
Read Review
-
9.0
122186
9.0 |
Exclaim
Lenker's work continues to reimagine love and loss, and albums like songs are her way of turning those complex emotions into something timeless
Read Review
-
9.0
122189
9.0 |
Loud And Quiet
Eleven melodic ballads crafted of just Lenker’s vocals and an acoustic guitar
Read Review
-
9.0
122190
9.0 |
XS Noize
A master of songwriting, Lenker has dialled back from the experimental nature of her previous album to a more reigned-in folk sound, constructing seemingly simple compositions that bely a great deal of fingerpicking skill
Read Review
-
9.0
122198
9.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Songs conjures the kind of liberated openness we associate with the tranquility of nature, and a peaceful state of mind
Read Review
-
9.0
122211
9.0 |
DIY
The title ‘songs’ betrays overwhelming modesty on Adrianne Lenker’s part
Read Review
-
9.0
122244
9.0 |
Gigwise
Songs is born from stacks of syrupy vocals and chiming guitars, embodying the acoustics of the cabin like a Russian doll
Read Review
-
8.8
122252
8.8 |
Pitchfork
Some of these songs are as lovely as any Lenker has ever written: lush and verdant, chords fanning out like ferns, their major-key tonalities at odds with the heartbreak at the album’s core
Read Review
-
8.6
122606
8.6 |
Paste Magazine
The Big Thief vocalist remains one of today’s most essential songwriters
Read Review
-
8.6
123159
8.6 |
Gig Soup
Over everything, this album proves that there’s Adrianne Lenker, and then there’s everyone else
Read Review
-
8.5
122288
8.5 |
Beats Per Minute
It’s in the final three tracks of songs where the membrane between songwriter and broken-hearted woman is at its thinnest, where Lenker renders her deep, soulful ache in the most poignant of ways
Read Review
-
8.0
122322
8.0 |
Clash
The sparse palette - Lenker’s acoustic, incidental percussion, reassuring tape hiss - serves to isolate the quiet brilliance of the melodies
Read Review
-
8.0
122423
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
Big Thief’s prolific singer-songwriter releases a stunning solo collection
Read Review
-
8.0
122465
8.0 |
Spectrum Culture
Lenker’s worldview is a warm antidote for an existential crisis, but she also dwells on the tragedy in our fated return to nature
Read Review
-
8.0
122269
8.0 |
musicOMH
The songs are delicately imparted, withdrawn yet intimate and centred around her uniquely affecting voice
Read Review
-
8.0
122286
8.0 |
Northern Transmissions
The entirety of the album is transportive. Even through the fragility of the songs and performance, it feels as if Lenker physically grabs you and places you directly in front of herself, singing these songs in a cabin in the woods
Read Review
-
8.0
122255
8.0 |
No Ripcord
Recorded under lockdown and off the grid in rural Massachusetts, the simply titled songs brings more wares to pick up, ponder, and imagine how they might be reassembled by Lenker or others further down the line
Read Review
-
8.0
122219
8.0 |
Uncut
Her lyrics and voice remain major draws. Print edition only
-
8.0
122207
8.0 |
NME
Through even her most downtrodden moments, Lenker finds room for love, opting for a directness that marks a departure from the poetic metaphors that often cloak her emotions
Read Review
-
7.0
122233
7.0 |
All Music
While not an essential album for fans of Big Thief, admirers of Lenker's solo work will find another reliably solid, touching set of songs
Read Review
-
6.0
122220
6.0 |
Mojo
Draws itself into clearer focus through Lenker's sweet, freshly-cut voice. Print edition only
-