Gaslighter
by The Chicks
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jul 17, 2020
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 122 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 104 out of 122
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 122
  3. Negative: 13 out of 122
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  1. ktmariemusic
    Jul 18, 2020
    9
    One of the most personal albums I have heard in a long time. And The Chicks have made a sound that while is poppier in nature still has its country and bluegrass roots. Definitely one of their best albums to date and a great return! Best Tracks: Sleep At Night, For Her, My Best Friend’s Weddings, Tights on My Boat, Hope It’s Something Good
  2. migsreviews
    Jul 19, 2020
    9
    Fantastic album. I'm so happy The Chicks are back and with such a solid new album.
  3. reiterm18
    Jul 22, 2020
    10
    A triumphant return for a band that doesn't owe the world anything, but a return that is needed. There will never be a more talented band of women in music.
  4. ApocalypseSound
    Jul 19, 2020
    10
    All I can say is WOW! I didnt realise how much I missed Natalies voice. It is a breath of fresh air in the world of music where auto-tune is king. Soaring vocals and oozing feminisim. Incredible, we missed you chicks.
  5. nassosgl
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    i didn't know what to expect, it's definitely a must-listen-to album , the vocals, the aesthetic,the production oh God, everything is on point
  6. Hotdoc
    Jul 17, 2020
    7
    Dixie Chicks - Gaslighter
    A lot of venom and grief in this one. Too much for the listener who experiences Maines’ sonic bear-all. All quality songs if you consider each individually, but 47 minutes of the same stuff is, well… too much. Excellent production, opens and closes well.
  7. RamSC
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Absolutely stunning. The production is flawless, the lyrics are deep and powerful, it’s an amazing combination. The title track, ‘Sleep at Night’ and ‘Texas Man’ are my favorite tracks.… Expand
  8. asthmaticpuppy
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    A majestic and timely comeback for the queens of 2020. Production assistance by the reigning pop master Jack Antonoff, but with none of the soul lost on overproduction. Raw and natural but polished and clear. One of the best releases of the year so far.
  9. Lgrew
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    Fourteen years later and they still sound fresh! Such a beautiful album, I'm glad they're back.
  10. danielblack64
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    This album is incredible, and most certainly worth the 14 year wait. The Chicks have come back and delivered their best work yet, while managing to "meet this moment" and sound like they truly belong in 2020.
  11. RenatoGabriel27
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    Incrível. Não esperava menor vindo delas. Com certeza de parabéns . Mais uma vez servindo
  12. jorge_benevides
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    Chicks serviram muito!
    Eu amei cada música nesse álbum, uma mais emocionante e tocante que a outra.
  13. LeandroR
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    This album is so perfect. Deserve Grammys. Deserve all. One of the best of 2020.
  14. Joao_Peps
    Jul 21, 2020
    10
    They got a point, they are icons, they are legends and they are the moment. Now, come on, now!
  15. sweetxcx
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    deep, strong and beaultiful at the same time, one of the best country albums i've ever heard
  16. TheMrNova
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    14 years in the making, The Chicks delivers the best album of the year. Amazing songwriting, powerful vocals, exquisite production.
  17. Jorge_e
    Jul 17, 2020
    10
    Uma volta triunfal de uma das maiores bandas da história.
    Um álbum tocante e lindo do início ao fim.
    Sem dúvidas, o melhor álbum de 2020.
  18. Shawngina1
    Jul 20, 2020
    0
    Contrived, disingenuous, condescendingly and overtly political. This is nothing more than a virtue signaling anti trump ad. In the desperate attempt to stay relevant, they abandon their entire fan base and roots, and pander to the very people who will never except them. The critics will love it, everyone else who’s is being honest, will ignore this trash.
  19. ravenvenom
    Jul 17, 2020
    1
    Not a catchy song in sight. Their hiatus did nothing to inspire or help their creativity
  20. nelin9
    Jul 23, 2020
    10
    10's 10's 10's across the boards. What a fantastic album definitely give it a listen.
  21. dreamlengths
    Jul 20, 2020
    10
    A brilliant return from one of the greatest country acts of all time. A brilliant blend of their old sound with a more contemporary pop-leaning sound, thanks to the brilliance of Jack Antonoff. Highlights are Gaslighter, Sleep at Night, Texas Man, My Best Friend's Weddings and Set Me Free!
  22. brockcheese
    Jul 24, 2020
    8
    A great comeback focusing on a messy divorce and with pop sensibilities she tackles how she would like to raise her child differently from how her ex husband was raised.
  23. vitortfv
    Dec 5, 2020
    7
    Gaslighter - 8,5/10
    Sleep at Night - 7/10
    Texas Man - 7/10
    Everybody Loves You - 8,5/10
    For Her - 7,5/10
    March March - 7,5/10
    My Best Friend's Weddings - 7/10
    Tights On My Boat - 7/10
    Julianna Calm Down - 7/10
    Young Man - 7,5/10
    Hope It's Something Good - 7,5/10
    Set Me Free - 7,5/10
  24. StevenX
    Aug 24, 2020
    5
    This album answers the question, "What would it sound like if Fleetwood Mac were angry all the time and wildly indiscreet?" The title track, and much of the album, gives us (too much) detail about singer Natalie Maines' divorce. Remember when "stars" would rather die than give sordid minutae on the worst aspects of their private lives? The Mac's "Go Your Own Way" blew that away, so now weThis album answers the question, "What would it sound like if Fleetwood Mac were angry all the time and wildly indiscreet?" The title track, and much of the album, gives us (too much) detail about singer Natalie Maines' divorce. Remember when "stars" would rather die than give sordid minutae on the worst aspects of their private lives? The Mac's "Go Your Own Way" blew that away, so now we get tweens singing about the unbearable trials they've been through from age 12 to age 15 (check in with me in 30 years, Ariana), and the adults are even more brazen. Along the way to spilling the beans, the Chicks forget their trailblazing selves and fall victim to music cliches - first verses with minimal instrumentation to make sure we get every nuance of the nuance-free lyrics, songs just ending in a we're-out-of-ideas way instead of a great fade-out or dynamic denoument that makes you want more. Did someone accidentally stop the recording?

    Their famous harmonies show up, but not as much as usual or as one would like. They also often leave behind or bury the bluegrass instrumentation that formerly meshed with the pop to keep the country feel while also feeling fresh and new, and too many ballads cut the edge too much. Here "March March" comes closest to that famous mesh of country and pop, but it starts with synth blips and, well, it's a, you know, march. The overall feel, despite the vocals, is precision. An album with this overpowering theme could have used a ragged musical edge here and there.

    The clear concept of this album is ex-bashing, which is popular now but a little unfair sometimes - "Why does everybody love you?", Maines sings, making clear that she doesn't share the sentiment. There's always a chance, though, that if you're the only person that doesn't love someone, maybe you're a tiny part of the problem, eh? "So dig a little bit deeper, and be a little bit kinder", they pontificate in between tearing the ex a new one in public and tearing the ex a third one in public. It becomes embarrassing. "Tights On My Boat" fills in deets that the title track teased at - that damned boat! What a nightmare, right up there with Ellen Degeneres whining about being stuck in her mansion. How do these people muddle through? Maybe if you didn't have to have a boat.... Maines then tells victims of bad men to calm down ("Juliana Calm Down"). Uh...

    In "Young Man" she tells her child that "my blues aren't your blues", but they are if he listened to this album. "Leave the bad news behind", say The Chicks, right after she told the other folks to "try to only think about the bad things you remember". Uh... Then more ex-bashing, and then for a change, more ex-bashing. Jesus, ladies, you killed Earl, but he didn't rate an entire album. By the time this one winds down with the plaintive "Set Me Free" (wait, didn't she just set herself free for eleven songs?), you have repeated that phrase in your head for about a half hour. They're still talented (though if I were Martie and Emily I'd be bummed to be relegated to sidemen on what's clearly a Maines solo record), but I think they need a new lyrical direction, or at least to decide whether they're victims or survivors, because survivors don't spend all their time talking about when they were victims.

    (And speaking of victims, to the "reviewer" who said this album was a diatribe against Trump and all political, neither Trump or politics are mentioned much. Actually listen to the album first next time. Juliana, calm down.)    … Expand
  25. lucaslira_
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    Amadurecimento, volta muito boa, pop misturaod com country, liberdade, pureza, clareza, feminismo. Sucesso para as lendas!
  26. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 11, 2022
    5
    This single was great and the album is great! The epic burns,perfect production, hilarous lyrics and anthems for choruses make this an underappreciated gem from one of the greats making their return after an unearned exile for telling the truth. A perfect comeback album that mixes enough personality to mellow out the cliches. The reason for a 7 is because it did not blow my mind or changeThis single was great and the album is great! The epic burns,perfect production, hilarous lyrics and anthems for choruses make this an underappreciated gem from one of the greats making their return after an unearned exile for telling the truth. A perfect comeback album that mixes enough personality to mellow out the cliches. The reason for a 7 is because it did not blow my mind or change my perspective (although not all music is intended for this)but it also felt centralized on one theme which can make the songs lyrical blend into another. The coverart (an important part in any opinion i for)is very ill and rushed with no intent or purpose. Favourites:gaslighter,set me free,everybody loves you… Expand
  27. themusicfiend
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Following a fourteen year hiatus, The Chicks are back with what is perhaps their most personal album. Natalie’s divorce takes the center stage, leaving a certain expectation for the mood of the album following the lead single. However, the mood of the album changes as they explore the myriad of emotions that follow the end of a relationship. Antonoff’s production is exquisite whileFollowing a fourteen year hiatus, The Chicks are back with what is perhaps their most personal album. Natalie’s divorce takes the center stage, leaving a certain expectation for the mood of the album following the lead single. However, the mood of the album changes as they explore the myriad of emotions that follow the end of a relationship. Antonoff’s production is exquisite while maintaining the essence of The Chicks, making it a perfect country pop album. It wouldn’t be a chicks album without a hint of politics threaded throughout. The focus is never compromised, however, proving that politics are always personal.… Expand
  28. musicalmarvell
    Jul 28, 2020
    10
    The best thing about The Chicks' newest album "Gaslighter" is that every song is fresh, exciting & real. Every single vocal is flawless and the songs are cleverly and creatively written. It's motivational, inspiring, and beautiful. One of the best comebacks of 2020. Incredibly well done.

    HIGHLIGHTS: "Gaslighter", "Sleep at Night", "March March", "Tights On My Boat", "Julianna Calm Down"
  29. Yanger4
    Jul 26, 2020
    10
    Love the raw emotion in this & how they call(or sing) a spade a spade! I can totally relate to it, & feel like I'm part of it! As usual, the killer harmonies blend effortlessly with the strong vocals & musicianship! I also love how each of their albums have a different sound without being too 'predictable', this one being no different! In short, "WOW!"
  30. aaedenn
    May 20, 2022
    9
    The bookends of this album are fantastic. The middle is slow and ballads, and it's very easy to follow the story of this album. This album was strong, but I think like some quarantine albums, thinking mainly toward Solar Power, it felt out of place at the time but is phenomenal now. I'm not surprised this album lived in folklore's shadow, but damn it's good. The emotions are raw, and theThe bookends of this album are fantastic. The middle is slow and ballads, and it's very easy to follow the story of this album. This album was strong, but I think like some quarantine albums, thinking mainly toward Solar Power, it felt out of place at the time but is phenomenal now. I'm not surprised this album lived in folklore's shadow, but damn it's good. The emotions are raw, and the instrumentals are fantastic.… Expand
  31. Bill451
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    A truly great return. The musicianship and the voice are in top form. Not a bad song in the set. The album easily moves from country to pop to adult contemporary. Lyrically poignant is the song Young Man. Other highlights include Everybody Loves You, My Best Friends Wedding, March March and Hope It’s Something Good. The album gets stronger with each listen. Best album of the year so far.
  32. MegPitt
    Aug 1, 2020
    10
    So yeah, I love this album. It’s everything I hoped it would be and so, so much more than I expected. And I admittedly, I had very high expectations. (There’s always a worry when an artist you love puts out new music that you might not like it. That’s happened to me with other artists before.)
    But not with this one. Their voices have matured so well which is not always the case with    So yeah, I love this album. It’s everything I hoped it would be and so, so much more than I expected. And I admittedly, I had very high expectations. (There’s always a worry when an artist you love puts out new music that you might not like it. That’s happened to me with other artists before.)
    But not with this one. Their voices have matured so well which is not always the case with singers. And their instrumental talents appear to be expanded even beyond the virtuoso status they already displayed on their previous albums and concerts.

    And the songwriting is just spectacular. They have always been such good storytellers, but they have surpassed their past storytelling efforts by leaps and bounds. Their crafting of the stories and the phrasing is remarkable. And they have placed the perfect melodies and instrumentation to go along with it. This album cements their already iconic status even more.

    I think that this is a perfect evolution and maturity of their music. It’s modern but also classic. It keeps all the elements that make Chicks’ music great. Powerful lead vocals. Perfect harmonies. Extraordinary instrumentation. Remarkable storytelling. It’s amazing that they have produced something this spectacular after such a long hiatus. Welcome back, Chicks!    … Expand
  33. Popmusic22
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    Um dos melhores álbuns do ano com certeza. Conta uma história do início ao fim, as letras são lindas e verdadeiras e a produção do Jack Antonoff é incrível.
  34. Krish0211
    Mar 13, 2021
    10
    i enjoyed this album from start to finish! the album was properly timed with beautiful songs like March March, and Julliana Calm down, i'm so glad their comeback album was so amazing!! My favourite song was March March especially because of that heavenly outro.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Uncut
    Aug 13, 2020
    50
    They could afford to take more liberties with the musical cliches thereof: listening to Gaslighter is a bit like eating 12 courses of dessert. [Oct 2020, p.29]
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 3, 2020
    80
    Dig deep, stick to your guns, “be a lot less guarded”, runs the message of this nourishing dose of laser-sharp country-pop boosterism.
    Read full review
  3. Beats Per Minute
    Jul 22, 2020
    76
    This is certainly the poppiest the band has ever sounded, and the album has a handful of trite or overly-cheesy moments, but these are easy to overlook when it all sounds this good, and when so many of Maines’ lyrics are this precise and honest.
    Read full review
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