what we say in private

Ada Lea - what we say in private
Critic Score
Based on 13 reviews
2019 Ratings: #227 / 805
User Score
Based on 105 ratings
2019 Rank: #588
Liked by 2 people
July 19, 2019 / Release Date
LP / Format
Saddle Creek / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
The Skinny

In the depth of its humanness what we say in private teases the surreal; the honesty of Levy’s lyricism finds itself embossed with the catcalls of nature, culminating in a sense of the ethereal

90
The Line of Best Fit

Ada Lea has a musical mind that pushes so much further than just some melodies and words.

80
Exclaim!

Ada Lea's workmanship is striking on what we say in private, as she delicately showcases both the chaos and beauty of change.

80
Northern Transmissions

what we say in private, is a truly affecting experience.

73
Pitchfork

The Montreal singer-songwriter’s debut album uses heartbreak as the springboard for an innovative brand of indie rock that’s both fiery and introspective.

70
Loud and Quiet

The one-woman project of Montreal-based Ali Levy, its duality is part borne of the jazz graduate playing indie. This brings unexpected details and structural twists to the material.

68
Paste

Much of What We Say in Private is low-key and even hushed as Levy focuses more on reinvention than recrimination, as if she is determined to emerge from her pain a stronger, more self-assured person, and not a bitter one.

usedtobe
80

Montreal-based artist Ada Lea's debut is hitting the right notes with this release of cathartic, unique pop venture that settles between the breezy and intimate. The ratings are undeniably promising and happy to report it does live up to it.

Plats
72

Ada Lea has enough songwriting and vocal talent to make "what we say in private" a good, if formulaic, indie rock album with some interesting production.

Fav Tracks: what makes me sad, wild heart, 180 days, for real now (not pretend), mercury

Least Fav Track: just one, please

Score:
7.2
Good

WildChameleon
63

What we say in private is an enjoyable album ... wait did I say the same thing for the recent indie folk/s-s albums ?

Here again, the problem is that she does exactly the same as many many many other woman of the genre (I'm tired of making the list : Torres, lucy dacus, phoebe bridgers, angel olsen, julien baker, etc). Except that they have a very specific and impactful performance.
Here Ada Lea touches a lot of genre but excells anywhere, does what her senpai already did. Even her topics are ... read more

KingLukas
50

Failed to capture me after multiple listens. That being said "wild heart" is a great tune

mattgoold
78

Ada Lea is hitting on the chords that are still ringing from the likes of Angel Olsen, Big Thief, Cate le Bon, etc, in a way I wouldn't dare complain about.

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Contributions By
patton, MarkyC, domvic, anztec, bgod


Added on: May 8, 2019