What makes Cry Pretty by Carrie Underwood notable?

Cry Pretty debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making Underwood the first woman to top the chart with a country album in over a decade. The album received critical acclaim for its lyrical honesty and vocal performances, further solidifying Underwood's status as a leading figure in contemporary country music. Released in 2018, Cry Pretty marks Carrie Underwood's sixth studio album and her first since becoming a mother. Following her 2015 album Storyteller, this record showcases her evolution as an artist both personally and musically, reflecting themes of resilience and authenticity.

How many songs are on Cry Pretty?

Cry Pretty has 1 track, running approximately 4 minutes.

Cry Pretty

Carrie Underwood · 2018

4 min · 1 track · country music

A powerful blend of country and pop, underscored by emotional depth and soaring vocals that explore vulnerability and strength.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cry Pretty — The title track serves as a powerful anthem about embracing emotions, showcasing Underwood's vocal prowess while addressing the struggle between vulnerability and strength.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends personal themes with polished production, showcasing Underwood's vocal strength and emotional range.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track shifts to a slower ballad, creating a noticeable dynamic change.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that build emotional intensity, particularly in the choruses.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Underwood's reputation by topping charts and showcasing her evolution.
Themes: motherhood journey· resilient strength
Career context: Released in 2018, Cry Pretty marks Carrie Underwood's sixth studio album and her first since becoming a mother. Following her 2015 album Storyteller, this record showcases her evolution as an artist both personally and musically, reflecting themes of resilience and authenticity.
Stylistic neighbors: Miranda Lambert· Kacey Musgraves· Taylor Swift