 " The Only Exception " received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics . Williams ' vocal performance was mainly praised by music critics . Mikael Wood , a writer for Spin felt that " The Only Exception " was a " surprisingly soulful acoustic number " and compared its musical structure to Coldplay 's Parachutes @-@ era . Wood commented that the song was an " upgrade " that consisted of " focus and intensity " . Leonie Cooper of NME noted in his review for Brand New Eyes that Paramore were able to " showcase their maturity " with multiple ballad songs , specifying " The Only Exception " . Cooper commented that while the song 's lyrics seemed to be a " nondescript love song " that does not " quite warrant the abrupt change of pace " , he praised Williams ' vocals . Cooper further stated , 
