What makes We Get By by Mavis Staples notable?

We Get By received critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising its timely themes and Staples' powerful delivery. The album debuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing her enduring appeal and relevance in today's music landscape. By the release of We Get By in 2019, Mavis Staples was enjoying a resurgence in her career following her collaboration with Jeff Tweedy on the 2016 album Livin' on a High Note. This album further solidified her status as a vital voice in contemporary music, blending her gospel roots with modern influences.

Who is We Get By for?

We Get By works well if you're into steady uplifting emotional flow, resilient themes of hope and soulful moments for reflection.

How many songs are on We Get By?

We Get By has 11 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

We Get By

Mavis Staples · 2019

36 min · 11 tracks · blues

Soulful vocals intertwine with rich instrumentation, delivering messages of resilience and hope amidst life's challenges.

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Top tracks — play these first

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We Get By — This title track encapsulates the album's central message of perseverance and community support, highlighted by Staples' stirring vocal performance.
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Change — Opening the album, this track sets a tone of hope and resilience while addressing social issues, reflecting Staples' deep-rooted activism through music.
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Brothers and Sisters — This song emphasizes unity and collective strength, showcasing Staples’ ability to weave personal narratives with broader social commentary.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends soulful vocals with rich instrumentation, showcasing strong themes of resilience.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a gradual build in intensity through the first half.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, emphasizing community and connection.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady uplifting emotional flow
resilient themes of hope
soulful moments for reflection
short tracks for easy listening

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy beats
prefer complex sonic experimentation

Where this album fits

Career context: By the release of We Get By in 2019, Mavis Staples was enjoying a resurgence in her career following her collaboration with Jeff Tweedy on the 2016 album Livin' on a High Note. This album further solidified her status as a vital voice in contemporary music, blending her gospel roots with modern influences.
Stylistic neighbors: Aretha Franklin· Tina Turner· Etta James