Ally Carnwath of "The Observer" wrote that the track is a "surprisingly energetic mope around the disco", although admitted that the "elegiac tone" of the song's lyrics is a "real comedown". A writer for "The Scotsman" criticized it as a "dreary, formulaic break-up song", additionally noting that the track is not catchy like "About You Now". An editor for "Stornoway Gazette" admitted that although disco-friendly, "Never Gonna Dance Again" is the album's starting point of "disappointment", while saying that it "has the feeling of being tired and slightly jaded in comparison to the strength of the previous offering", referring to the album's lead single "About You Now". "NME" wrote that it seems "less than a threat and more of a promise."