[12] Robert Christgau noted that "hard living deepens great voices, but it's hell on the smaller ones, and so naturally Stewart compensates by oversinging.

"[14] The Los Angeles Times wrote: "Sounding inspired and refreshed, Stewart retains the unmistakable vocal quaver.

"[16] The Chicago Sun-Times considered Brand New to be the ninth best album of 1988, concluding that, "at his rawest, the honky-tonk veteran sounds like the missing link between George Jones and Jerry Lee Lewis, but Stewart originals such as 'I Owe It All to My Heart', 'An Empty Glass' and 'Ramona' show a subtlety beyond either of them.

"[17][12] The Advocate opined that "it's clear that Stewart is still in great vocal form and a singer who somehow still hasn't received the widespread acclaim that he deserves.

"[18] The Orange County Register stated that "Stewart brings the grease and the glory, the sleaze and the sublime of the honky-tonk world to life.