Critical reaction to "Debut" was generally positive. The British music press spoke positively about the album, with "Q" giving it four out of five stars calling it "a surprising, playful collection" while the "NME" wrote that "Debut" was "an album that believes music can be magical and special." "The Independent" gave "Debut" a favorable review noting that Björk had "fashioned an amazing array of contrasting arrangements, whose musical diversity never interferes with their clarity of vision." American reception was more mixed. "Musician" magazine praised the vocals of the album, stating "what makes [Björk's] singing memorable isn't the odd assortment of growls, moans and chirps she relies upon, but the emotions those sounds convey." "The New York Times" described "Debut" as "an enchanting album".