"[7] The official album cover was shot by photographer Allister Ann: "The thing about us that really defines Maddie and I is we’re not those girls who want to spend a lot of time getting our hair done," Dye said.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine at AllMusic bestowed a four and a half stars out of five rating upon the album writing: " In another's hands, such scheming could seem crass or nasty but placed in the context of Start Here, where it's surrounded by both sweetness and swagger, it simply adds another dimension to an album that embodies all the complex contradictions and unfettered optimism of modern country-pop in 2015.

"[10] Rolling Stone's Jon Dolan conferring a three and a half star rating out of five on the album saying: "Even when the sentiments are more traditional, though, Maddie & Tae sound tough-minded and stout-hearted.

"[16] Bequeathing a four star rating out of five upon the album at Billboard, Jewly Hight describing: "Just as the Chicks burnished a blend of modern bluegrass, singer-songwriter-style narration and adult contemporary pop sophistication a generation ago, Maddie & Tae are hyper-focused on shaping their own chipper, closer-harmonizing, string band-based aesthetic, though vocally, they're not yet the evocative storytellers they could be.

"[11] Spin's Jonathan Bernstein granted the album a seven out of ten stating: "Start Here does a great job of cataloging the highs and lows of early milestones: first kisses, first breakups, leaving home for the first time.

suggesting: "Unlike those of many of their contemporaries, this album isn't offering much faux hard-won wisdom, and there's no late-night barstool proselytizing to speak of.