Brandi Carlile Returning To Myself
Brandi Carlile's Returning To Myself arrives as a self-possessed study in vulnerability and reinvention, earning praise for its intimate songwriting and occasional widescreen ambition. Across five professional reviews, critics point to the record's balance of interiority and new sonic touches - and the consensus score of 82.2/100 across 5 reviews underscores that the collection largely succeeds in melding memoiristic detail with bolder production choices.
Critics consistently name “Human”, the title track “Returning To Myself” and the closing pair “A Long Goodbye” and “No One Knows Us” among the best songs on Returning To Myself. Reviewers praise “Human” for its anthemic build and inventive choir-like textures, while “Returning To Myself” is highlighted for its searching lyrics and intimate guitar detail. Several reviewers single out “A Long Goodbye” and “No One Knows Us” for their emotional directness and familial themes, and tracks such as “You Without Me” and “Church & State” are noted as contrasting moments that expand the album's range.
While most critics celebrate Carlile's return to inward songwriting and the album's thematic throughlines - vulnerability, parenthood, homage to influences, and a tension between loneliness and togetherness - some reviews flag uneven stretches when songs move toward overt tribute or political critique. The critical consensus suggests Returning To Myself is a rewarding, often moving entry in Carlile's catalog, one that offers standout songs and enough experimentation to make it worth exploring further in the full reviews below.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Human
5 mentions
""Human," the most clear-and-present anthem on the album"— Variety
A Long Goodbye
3 mentions
"in a gorgeous coda that may be the single best minute of music she’s ever put on record"— Variety
Returning To Myself
4 mentions
"Is there some freewheeling watcher / Shooting marbles in the sky?"— Variety
"Human," the most clear-and-present anthem on the album
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Returning To Myself
Human
A Woman Oversees
A War With Time
Anniversary
Church & State
Joni
You Without Me
No One Knows Us
A Long Goodbye
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 5 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Best songs on Returning To Myself include the title track “Returning to Myself,” the anthemic “Human,” and the closing pair “A Long Goodbye” and the penultimate track (No One Knows Us) for their emotional directness and powerful arrangements. “Returning to Myself” opens the album with intimate guitar detail and philosophical lyrics that set the record’s reflective tone, while “Human” and “Church & State” show Carlile’s range from anthem to hard-rocking critique. The finale “A Long Goodbye” and the penultimate song deliver the album’s most moving moments, closing Returning To Myself with transcendence and raw autobiographical detail.
Key Points
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The best song is the finale 'A Long Goodbye' for its emotionally transcendent coda and possibly the single best minute of music Carlile has recorded.
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The album's core strengths are intimate, philosophically minded songwriting, commanding vocal delivery, and tasteful production blending Dessner and Watt influences.
Themes
Critic's Take
For listeners searching for the best songs on Returning To Myself, standout tracks include the title track "Returning to Myself" and the propulsive "Church & State," with the tender arena-rock crescendo of "Human" also highlighting the album’s strengths. Paste praises Carlile’s return to focused, soulful songwriting, noting how the album balances personal vulnerability with pointed social commentary. The review emphasizes these songs as the best tracks on Returning To Myself for their lyrical clarity, emotional payoff, and musical momentum.
Key Points
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The best song is "Church & State" for its anthemic power and momentum.
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The album’s strengths are focused songwriting, emotional vulnerability, and well-placed tributes and political urgency.
Themes
Critic's Take
The best songs on Returning To Myself are its intimate, memoiristic tracks like "No One Knows Us," "Human," and "You Without Me," which showcase Carlile’s return to interiority and melodic growth. Reviewers highlight "No One Knows Us" as the album’s centerpiece and praise the gorgeous verse melody of "Human" and the gut-punch emotional core of "You Without Me." These songs exemplify why Returning To Myself is considered her finest work since By the Way, I Forgive You, blending new textures in voice and production with candid songwriting. Tracks that stray from that interior focus, like "Joni" and "Church & State," are noted as less successful but still recognizable live moments.
Key Points
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“No One Knows Us” is best for its memoiristic focus and production balance between Dessner and Watt.
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The album’s core strength is intimate songwriting and Carlile’s reclaimed interiority, bolstered by refined production.
Themes
Critic's Take
The best songs on Returning to Myself highlight Brandi Carlile’s move into new sounds while retaining emotional clarity, with “HUMAN” and the title track standing out for their thematic weight and inventive production. "HUMAN" is praised for Vernon’s choir effect and charged energy, making it one of the best tracks on Returning to Myself. The title track and "A Long Goodbye" are notable for their intimate reflection on transitions, while songs like "You Without Me" and "Joni" showcase quieter, mentor‑inspired moments. Overall, the best tracks balance experimentation with Carlile’s songwriting strengths.
Key Points
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"HUMAN" is the best song for its charged energy and Vernon’s effective choir production.
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The album’s core strength is Carlile’s willingness to embrace new production approaches while keeping her strong songwriting and emotional clarity.
Themes
Critic's Take
Best songs on Returning to Myself include the title track "Returning to Myself," the intimate "A Long Goodbye," and the anthemic "Human," each highlighted for different strengths. The title track is praised for its searching lyrics and evolving arrangement, making it one of the top tracks on Returning to Myself. "A Long Goodbye" is singled out for its personal, family-focused lines that showcase Carlile's tenderness. "Human" and "Church & State" provide contrast as more soaring and raucous moments, balancing the album's quieter core.
Key Points
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The title track is best for its intimate, evolving arrangement and searching lyrics.
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The album's core strengths are reflective songwriting, tender vocals, and tasteful production that blends folk and subtle electronics.