Stella Donnelly - Beware of the Dogs
Critic Score
Based on 26 reviews
2019 Ratings: #83 / 805
User Score
2019 Rank: #179
Liked by 107 people
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Northern Transmissions

With stories that give Courtney Barnett a run for her money and guitars reminiscent of Girl Ray, this album is truly entrancing and refreshing on dozens of levels.

90
The Line of Best Fit

Wonderfully fearless from start to finish, Donnelly speaks up for those who either won’t or can’t. Referring to herself as a “shit-stirrer”, Beware of the Dogs proves that Donnelly is anything but: her outspokenness is completely justified.

90
Exclaim!

The simple addition of synths, cello, bass, piano and (most notably) percussion, has elevated her music to a place most of us were hoping she would — one that's sonically diverse and a little more multidimensional.

85
Under the Radar

Beware of the Dogs is a melodic, memorable package overflowing with promise.

85
The 405

Stella Donnelly’s Beware of the Dogs sees her having grown musically and emotionally, and attacking various hard-hitting topics, both personal and political, with a more worldly perspective. However, the tracks on Beware of the Dogs brim with a character and cheekiness that brings enough levity to ensure unbridled enjoyment while dealing with these angering topics.

83
Consequence of Sound

Beware of the Dogs shines in its concrete approaches to meaningful subject matter.

80
Rolling Stone

Beware of the Dogs is a triumph on its own terms, going from high point to high point as she maps the pains, pleasures and anxieties of her personal patch of twentysomething bohemia.

80
Dork

She wields anger, humour and empathy with such skill, creating a debut album from a bright and fearless voice that’s sure to ruffle feathers but also comfort many more.

80
Spectrum Culture

Through viciously direct lines or implication, she doesn’t need to pull up data or a full history lesson, she’s pissed and you know exactly why.

80
God Is in the TV

By giving voice to her experiences Stella Donnelly is an artist giving a face to today’s climate of injustice, gender imbalance and music industry sexism and abuse, she’s giving voice to the voiceless, she’s turning the tables, ripping power from the powerful with humour.

80
The Guardian

As you journey through this accomplished debut, that voice becomes a trusted companion, inviting you into Donnelly’s perspective before gently leading you back out into the world alone.

80
Loud and Quiet

Building on the promise shown with ‘Thrush Metal’, ‘Beware of the Dogs’ presents Donnelly as an artist confident in her voice and unafraid of serious talk delivered with wit.

80
Sputnikmusic

Beware of the Dogs is Stella adjusting the scales, shifting seamlessly between intimate and all-encompassing.

80
DIY

Stella Donnelly has got the world in her palm, and the brain to do exactly what she wants with it.

80
No Ripcord

What makes Beware the Dogs such a fun and engaging listen is how Donnelly expresses her opinions with such imperfect candor.

80
NME

Enthralling and hugely relevant, the Australian singer-songwriter's debut album tackles difficult subject matter with cheekiness and real lightness of touch.

80
musicOMH

For a debut it’s a remarkably confident and assured album, while hinting at even greater things to come in future years.

76
Pitchfork

The Australian singer-songwriter’s debut album brings her captivating voice and keen eye to songs that demolish expectations. Fierce, funny, and unsettling, her music is empathetic to the core.

73
Paste

An imaginative indie-pop chronicle of millennial malaise.

70
Clash

Stella Donnelly has an unwavering ability to execute a subtly empowering and relevant record with derisive humour and mischievous wit.

70
The Needle Drop

Beware of the Dogs is a solid indie rock and pop album thanks to Stella Donnelly's songwriting personality, though she's still finding her voice.

70
AllMusic

Donnelly never wavers in her directness or honesty, but doesn't equate strong statements with volume. Instead, her well-constructed and sometimes weightless songs crush their enemies with a knowing smile and a gentle fist.

fakeplasticrose
75

If you're looking for funny, smart and somewhat relatable songwriting, look no further. If you're looking for interesting music, look elsewhere.

PipePanic
72

tldr; this album is really nice, very well writen, and overall isn't a bad album. But...Look.

I'm glad that female artists are able to write and create honest music that they 100% believe in and want to make. In an era where everything is being over-read, over-analysed, over shared and over reviewed, with people being overtly nihilist and dismissive because of the new connection to information we currently have, it's very nice to see honesty, fearlessness and positive vibes in an age that ... read more

Windy
80

ඞඞඞ First off, thank you all so much for 100 followers!!! I know this is a bit late, but I'm seriously happy that so many of you have welcomed me into this great community. I'm also glad that some of you have enjoyed reading my reviews! Love you all!! ඞඞඞ

↓↓↓

Stella Donnelly's "Beware of the Dogs" is an interesting album in my music listening history; not only was it my first introduction to Stella, it was also the first album that I discovered thorough ... read more

liminal_raptor
84

This is a great and unique indie project, and I'm prepared to die on that hill.

The raw power and lightsome charm Stella Donnelly brings hit me in the face immediately. I keep finding myself coming back to this album every once in a while, and taking away more and more from it.

The songwriting is absolutely incredible here. Stella goes from tongue-and-cheek, but honest confessions to brutal criticisms of intense topics. I won't even mention the themes she very aptly writes about in this ... read more

AnotherWhiteMan
80

White man approved.

minutemenisgre1
79

The one who invented 2019 vibes NEEDS to get their ass ate.

Purchasing Beware of the Dogs from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement

Track List

1Old Man
3:33
85
2Mosquito
3:11
86
3Season’s Greetings
2:49
82
4Allergies
2:55
81
5Tricks
4:07
88
6Boys Will Be Boys
4:04
92
7Lunch
3:40
79
8Bistro
2:03
79
9Die
2:54
84
10Beware of the Dogs
3:35
91
11U Owe Me
2:40
80
12Watching Telly
4:45
82
13Face It
2:16
83
Total Length: 42 minutes
Sign in to comment
1y
1y
2y
4y


Added on: January 9, 2019