 Marc Hirsh of The Boston Globe listed " The Only Exception " as the highlight of Brand New Eyes , crediting the song as being an " essential " . Hirsh said that " The Only Exception " is " probably the best place to start " with the album , describing Williams ' vocals as " forging a connection " rather than " simply spitting out her feelings " ; he also praised the other band members for locking in at a " sympathetic simmer " . Channing Freeman of Sputnikmusic felt that that " The Only Exception " had similarities to " The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot " by Brand New . Freeman stated that on Paramore 's All We Know Is Falling , " My Heart " was a " blunt and obvious song " that focused on a " climax to be emotional " , but with " The Only Exception " , Paramore have " figured out that it doesn 't have to finish loud to incite a reaction in the listener " . He also noted that the song shows that Williams ' lyrics have " definitely improved " . Jesse <unk> of Slant felt that the lyrics to " The Only Exception " may be " irredeemably over @-@ the @-@ top " but its " vocal melodies are the stuff of perfect pop " . 
