“(For The Wolfish & Wandering)...a great introduction to Vargas' raggedly delicate vocals and the kind of sonic landscape that conjures other worlds. Her poetic lyricism is rooted in the folklore and storytelling of that area where the landscape oozes a sense of magical possibilities. Vargas pulls us in on what may be her most complete musical statement to date.” - Felix Contreras
— NPR
“It’s not a coincidence that Kate Vargas uses the word ‘vintage’ in the first sentence of her glittering new album Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi. There’s a punch and pizzaz to her sound that screams of yesteryear while her lyrics are modern, subversive and intelligent. Her emotional performances, each suited to the subject matter of the song, make each of these energetic character studies all the better...”
“...Throughout the album there is Vargas’s sense of character and story. Many of these songs feel inhabited: by former lovers, failed saints, wounded healers, and women performing for an audience that may no longer be watching. The Golden Hour here is not so much a time of perfect light, it is the moment just before things fade, fall apart, or we have a glimpse of a truer version of ourselves. And the House of Lugosi nods to the artifice we inhabit in order to live or find ourselves trapped in. Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi is rich in mood, steeped in mystery, and threaded with a performer’s instinct to both reveal and withhold, always leaving us slightly unsure what will come next. With it Vargas invites us into her haunted house of song, offers us a drink, and dares us to stay past sunset...”
“...Dusty, darkly romantic, and emotionally raw, Golden Hour In The House Of Lugosi wraps Vargas’s signature gravelly melodies in rootsy acoustic instrumentation and quirky percussion, her voice enhanced by the sublime harmonizing of The Reckless Daughters (sister Lizzy Vargas and Lena Kaminsky). At once confessionally intimate and sepia-toned cinematic, it’s a quietly riotous album of deep grooves, smoldering moods, and wry worldliness, it’s intrigue and curiosity embroidered with Vargas’s deft wordplay, palpable charisma and crisp, cultured phrasing...”
“Her "Americana singer-songwriter" slot barely hints at her yipping growl, quirky phrasing, erotic substratum, or metaphorical range, but it may suggest why it never adds up to enough ("Roll Around," "7 Inches")” - Robert Christgau
— Noisey
“There is an unlimited amount of potential in this superstar on the rise.” - Kyle Stevens
“'Call Back the Dogs' shines in showing off Vargas’ raspy vocals and southwestern style. Her lyrics paint the young singer/songwriter as an unapologetic badass, as she sings, “Breaking it down just to build it back up/Takes a little bit of prowess and whole lotta luck,” and later, “Don’t you be expecting me at all/‘cause you and I have been sniffing around like two hounds in the fog.” Vargas already has the chops of a far more seasoned songwriter, which makes it hard to believe that she has only been at it for a short time. Vargas is definitely a dynamic addition to any musicians-to-watch list”
“Vargas certainly lives up to the standards of two of her personal influences – Nina Simone and Tom Waits. She sounds incredible!” - Alex Gallacher