AllMusic editor Leo Stanley found that The Day "confirms his skill for subtle, inventive songwriting and accessible, polished yet soulful production [...] He is still compelling – his voice is as smooth as silk, and nearly as seductive – but it doesn't quite have the force of personality as his greatest productions. Nevertheless, The Day qualifies as state-of-the-art mid-'90s soul, featuring a handful of terrific songs, and a lot of extremely pleasurable filler."
In the context of Leo Stanley's AllMusic review, The Day is evaluated as a prime example of state-of-the-art soul music in the 1990s, with its blend of artistic skill and commercial appeal.