Kelefa Sanneh of "Rolling Stone" wrote that ""Free" may be her most beautiful album, as well as her cagiest: There are gaunt rock songs and ramshackle ballads, all painted with bold, sure strokes that belie her ambivalence." Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote that ""You Are Free" may take awhile longer than expected to unfold, but once it does, its excellence is undeniable." Chris Ott of "Pitchfork" called it an album "full of arresting, serene beauty...Sans a handful of lesser inclusions and tributes, the imaginary, shorter version of "You Are Free" is flawless."