[1] For the recording sessions, McEvoy recruited the talents of Grammy award-winning songwriter Jimmy Smyth on guitar, keyboard player James Delaney, bassists Paul Moore, Eoghan O’Neill, and drummer Des Lacey, with special guests Brian Connor on piano and David Agnew on oboe.

RTÉ Radio 1 wrote "Her performances are intimate, emotional, uplifting affairs in which she explores soul, love and humour, using own compositions and interpretations from other songbooks, with her unique voice and beautiful playing.

"[1] Irish Music Magazine said "From the initial song creation, to the musical arrangement, to the delivery, Eleanor has a flair for every aspect of musicianship and it speaks volumes on If You Leave..."[2] Hot Press stated "If You Leave, her tenth solo album, is replete with accessible, often quirky melodies, intelligent lyrics and features a stellar, full-band backing with lush, analog production...

"[3] Pete Whalley from Get Ready To Rock reviewed "I'd be happy to listen to Eleanor McEvoy sing the telephone directory – her soft lilting brogue is simply that addictive.

The vocals and audiophile quality throughout never falls short of the exacting standards that Eleanor has contrived to set since she broke free of record company chains and went ‘DIY’ with ‘Yola’ almost 10 years ago.