Caillat talked about her decision to put her new single at the top of the All of You track list: "I usually like to start my albums by easing my way in.

"[3] The lyrics reflect the tumble into love: "Boy, we go together like peanuts and Paydays/ Marley and Reggae/ And everybody needs to get a chance to say/ Oh, this is how it starts/ Lightning strikes the heart/ It goes off like a gun/ Brighter than the sun.

[5] Robbie Daw wrote for Idolator that Colbie Caillat has served up an upbeat, infectious new single, just in time for summer.

[3] Kyle Anderson wrote for Entertainment Weekly positively that "Caillat plays with rhythmic touches (the high-spirited handclaps on Brighter Than the Sun).

"[6] Lavina Suthenthiran from MTV News said that 'Brighter Than the Sun' is a fresh tune marrying warm vocals and acoustics but is a bit pacier than Bubbly and is bound to get you all in that summer mood.

"[7] Chris Willman from Chicago Tribune thought that even with a variety of producers, the album style does not change, saying that the song "has the kind of quickly strummed acoustic guitars and handclaps that suggest somebody's been ingesting some "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.

"[8] Sputnikmusic said that the song "warrants attention, offering up Colbie's only real successful landing on her targeted 'new' sound.

The expanded presence of drums, tambourines, and handclaps all create the desired 'tropical' effect that she obviously yearned to either maintain or further enliven with her newest LP.

Colbie proceeds to twirl in front of her orange tree and reveals her swing, until a dance party is produced.

[17] Jenna Hally Rubenstein from MTV Buzzworthy said sarcastically that the video is "the hottest, most environmentally conscious party of the summer so far.