"Murray Street" received a score of 82 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "universal acclaim". "Entertainment Weekly" wrote that, with the album, "Sonic Youth find a balance – between formlessness and structure, melody and cacophony – that's eluded them for a while". Playlouder gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars and said, "There is just enough balance between the tune, and the unexpected jazz chords, ear-splitting squeals, and lovely harmonic noises to make it forever listenable". "The A.V. Club" gave it a favorable review and said the album "doesn't mark an epochal moment for Sonic Youth, but its familiar nods and new ingredients--from Steve Shelley's occasionally near-funky drumming to O'Rourke's tingly laptop textures--stake out another high point for a band achieving self-realization by reconciling self-absorption with a sigh and a smile". Neumu.net gave it a score of 8 of 10 stars and stated: "Written with some basic, inviting rock structures, the album replaces the hyper energy and angst of older material with slowed-down, complex textures and delicate grooves -- but still rocks out intermittently". Nude as the News gave it a score of 8 out of 10 and said, "Whether they came on board at "Daydream Nation" or "Experimental Jet Set", true believers will relish this one".