In his review for USA Today, Steve Jones noted that "Mario has a mature-for-his-age voice that sets him apart from the pack, even though he sticks with themes that don't make him seem older than he is [...] Radio-friendly grooves such as "Just a Friend" should get him immediate attention, but the soulful ballad "Never" suggests he's only scratching the surface of what he has to offer."
The reviewer, Steve Jones from USA Today, noted that Mario's voice is distinctive and mature for his age, which sets him apart from other artists. He also praised the catchy nature of songs like "Just a Friend," but felt that the emotional ballad "Never" suggests greater potential in Mario's music.