The Singles Jukebox

So we’ve stopped comparing her to Miranda…

[Video]
[6.00]

Thomas Inskeep: A country song about an amicable breakup! I don’t know what that feels like, so I’ll take Eden’s words for it. This is solid country pop that does its job.
[6]

Alfred Soto: A triumph of nimble singing over anemic production, “Act Like You Don’t” adds another chapter to the book on drunk texting/dialing. The difference is Brooke Eden, who gives the chorus enough flint and steel to suggest she ain’t moving an inch.
[7]

Edward Okulicz: Only in a country song would patronising advice like this be even palatable. Eden sings and acts the heck out of this, but it could have been generated by algorithm, right down to the details about the subject’s cologne. The chorus labours the point — quitting after the titular line would have made it shorter, sharper and wiser.
[5]

Katherine St Asaph: ‘Cause we all need somebody to “u up?” on. The prospect of a “Girl in a Country Song” answer track to “Break Up With Him” and “Drinkin’ Too Much” is intriguing. The execution lashes a pro forma country chorus to a verse melody that’s pro forma in a different, clashing way.
[5]

Ryo Miyauchi: Pained as she sounds especially on the chorus, Brooke Eden goes about the sticky “let’s just be friends” situation rather politely. Her hook lacks drama, but it’s actually a little impressive for her to back off touchy subjects for the sake of keeping peace, where others might try too hard to squeeze tragedy out of the same details.
[6]

Ashley John: For all the pain in this song, the beautiful moments are delivered in the shreds of hope Brooke Eden clings to. From “play a little game and pretend” to the potential in “and you still do” and even the use of “act” rather than another command feels like Eden is letting herself see possibility in her wounds. “Act Like You Don’t” is closing your eyes and hoping that not being able to see the enemy means they can’t see you either: it’s futile and inconclusive but sometimes it’s the only way to cope.
[6]

Ramzi Awn: Eden can carry a tune, and the tune ain’t bad. Pickup pop never sounded so serviceable. 
[7]