Madison Cunningham's Ace opens as a piano-forward, chamber-pop meditation on heartbreak and renewal, and critics generally agree it marks a bold, sophisticated turn in her songwriting. Across five professional reviews, the record earned a 71/100 consensus score, with reviewers repeatedly pointing to piano-led arrangements, lush orchestration, and intimate lyricism as the album's defining qualities. For those searching for an Ace review or asking if Ace is worth listening to, the critical consensus suggests a rewarding, if occasionally uneven, listening experience.
Reviewers consistently flag several standout tracks as the album's emotional centers. “My Full Name” is cited by multiple critics as the lead single and melodic anchor, a reclamation-of-identity moment that balances intimacy with hopeful resolve. “Shore” emerges across reviews for its delicate opening, Joni Mitchell-esque vocal leaps, and swelling woodwinds, while “Skeletree” is praised for its grit, climactic strings, and alt-rock momentum that recalls Cunningham's past work. “Wake (feat. Fleet Foxes)” and select tracks like “Mummy” and “Break The Jaw” are also noted for memorable arrangements and moments of dramatic payoff.
Critical perspectives vary in tone: several reviewers celebrate the record's musical sophistication, chamber-pop grandeur, and piano-centric reinvention, while a minority note moments where the ambition outpaces cohesion. The consensus score of 71 across five professional reviews signals a mostly favorable reception that rewards close listening. In short, Ace stands as a richly arranged, emotionally candid chapter in Madison Cunningham's catalog, with standout songs such as “My Full Name”, “Shore”, and “Skeletree” offering clear entry points for new listeners and long-time fans alike.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Ace
1 mention
"Ace by Madison Cunningham is the ultimate comeuppance"— Far Out Magazine
Shore
4 mentions
"Shore begins delicately; Cunningham’s vocals leap nimbly between octaves"— The Skinny
Skeletree
4 mentions
"Skeletree has same the gritty, guitar-led momentum of Revealer"— The Skinny
Ace by Madison Cunningham is the ultimate comeuppance
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Shatter Into Form I
Shore
Skeletree
Mummy
Take Two
Wake (feat. Fleet Foxes)
Break The Jaw
Invisible Chalk
Shatter Into Form II
My Full Name
Golden Gate (On And On)
Beyond That Moon
Goodwill
Best Of Us
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 5 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
The best songs on Ace are Shore, Skeletree and My Full Name, which showcase Madison Cunningham’s shift to piano-led, impressionistic arrangements and crystalline vocals. Shore stands out for its delicate opening and Joni Mitchell-esque vocal leaps that bloom into woodwinds and cymbals. Skeletree brings the gritty, guitar-led momentum fans of Revealer will appreciate. My Full Name, the lead single, highlights intimate art-pop moments and is repeatedly flagged as a must-hear.
Key Points
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Shore’s delicate vocals and orchestration make it the album’s most striking track.
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Ace’s core strengths are piano-led arrangements, crystalline vocals and tasteful orchestration that supports rather than overwhelms melodies.
Themes
Critic's Take
The best songs on Ace are led by "Skeletree," "Break The Jaw," and "My Full Name," which showcase Madison Cunningham’s range from alt-rock intensity to intimate piano balladry. "Skeletree" ranks as a top track for its chugging percussion and octave-leaping vocals, while "Break The Jaw" is praised for its exciting arrangement and emotional punch. "My Full Name" is highlighted as a reclamation-of-identity single, soft and hopeful. For listeners searching for the best tracks on Ace or best songs on Ace, these selections underscore the album’s strengths in storytelling and dynamic arrangements.
Key Points
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“Skeletree” is the best song for its intensity, rhythmic drive, and octave-leaping vocal peak.
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Ace’s core strengths are storytelling through arrangements and emotional honesty across quiet piano ballads and loud alt-rock moments.
Themes
Critic's Take
For listeners searching for the best songs on Ace, Madison Cunningham's "Shore," "My Full Name," and "Wake" stand out as the album's emotional centers. The best songs on Ace showcase Cunningham's shift to piano-focused arrangements and more direct, affecting melodies. "Shore" and "My Full Name" are highlighted as especially direct and emotionally affecting, while "Wake" (with Fleet Foxes) is called a stunner. These tracks exemplify why Ace is often described as a mature, balanced follow-up to Revealer.
Key Points
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"Shore" is the best song due to its directness and emotional impact highlighted by the reviewer.
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Ace's core strengths are piano-centered arrangements, intimate songwriting, and tasteful orchestration.
Themes
Critic's Take
Best songs on Ace include “Skeletree,” “Mummy,” and “My Full Name,” which showcase Madison Cunningham’s chamber-pop grandeur and incisive songwriting. Skeletree stands out for its climactic strings and raw shouted line, while Mummy pairs whimsical lullaby music with piercing lyrics. My Full Name is the lead single and melodic anchor, though the review finds it slightly simpler than the album’s more intricate tracks. Ace rewards close listening, revealing sophisticated time signature shifts and orchestral arrangement throughout.
Key Points
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“Skeletree” is the best song because of its dramatic build and emotionally raw shouted climax.
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The album’s core strengths are its chamber-pop arrangements and sophisticated, unconventional songwriting.
Themes
Fa
Critic's Take
Madison Cunningham's Ace reads like a modern-day Blue, a break-up record that somehow feels visionary rather than tired. Lauren Hunter's prose leans lyrical and exalted, calling tracks 'epic poems' and praising the album's 'lush orchestrations' and 'wailing vocals' while pointing to Ace's blend of pop, rock, folk and jazz. The reviewer singles out “Shore” as the defining track, and argues that songs across the record each constitute their own little worlds - this is why fans searching for best songs on Ace will find “Shore” at the top. In short, the best tracks on Ace are those that pair Cunningham's intimate lyrics with soaring arrangements, with “Shore” exemplifying that alchemy.
Key Points
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The best song is “Shore” because the reviewer names it the defining track and uses it to exemplify the album's strengths.
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The album's core strengths are intimate, lyrical songwriting paired with lush orchestration and genre-blending arrangements.