AllMusic writer Jo-Ann Greene described the song as having "a futuristic jungle beat and an almost housey production," while "Rolling Stone" said the song "puts a Kangol hat and Adidas shoes on Marvin Gaye." "Tell Me What" is said to accurately approximate the Tamla Motown sound, albeit with a "modern touch" courtesy of its synthesiser. The doo-wop harmonies in the song are said to evoke the music of the 1950s. "Don't Look Back" was influenced by 1960s jangle pop pioneers The Byrds, "while a touch of mid-Sixties Beatles-styled riffing adds further glamor." "Don't Let It Get You Down" is a funk and acid house song which contains a trumpet solo; "Rolling Stone" believed that the combination of acid house and a trumpet solo was perhaps the first in history. The downtempo "As Hard as It Is" is a danceable soul song. AllMusic said that, accompanying Gift's soulful vocals, "it's a stunning performance that the rest of the band deftly back with moody synths, insistent beats, a bassline that thrums with its own pain, and the moodiest of brass solos." The cover of "Ever Fallen in Love?" is dancehall-tinged.