Early Twenties is the debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Cat Burns, released on 12 July 2024 through Since '93 and RCA Records. The album was preceded by the singles "Alone", "End Game" and "Met Someone".[1] The deluxe edition includes the previously released singles "Go" and "Wasted Youth" with Goddard. It also includes a collaboration with India.Arie. Early Twenties has received positive reviews from critics.
Early Twenties received a score of 81 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, which the website categorised as "universal acclaim".[2] Reviewing the album for Clash, Lauren Dehollogne wrote that Burns "proves that she is willing to bare her soul while delivering some of the best pop vocals of the last decade" as she is "often conducting a sound that resembles the gap between early Beyoncé and Paramore" and "able to make even her saddest moments danceable".[3]DIY's Bella Martin stated that "when Early Twenties is as its best is when Cat is at her most inside-thoughts-out-loud, marrying the specificities of her internal struggles with conversely euphoric pop moments".[4]
John Amen of The Line of Best Fit felt that Burns "opt[s] for self-reflection, exploring habitual tendencies that undermine her higher commitments. The project brims with honesty, practical wisdom, and reminders that we're more resilient than we think." He concluded that Early Twenties "documents a young and talented artist striving to make herself a better human and the world a better place".[5] Tara Joshi of The Observer said, "imbued with moving gospel richness and an indie sensibility, it's an introspective but anthemic, English-accented pop collection about growing pains".[6]
