"The Valley" was met with generally positive reviews. Sputnikmusic and, to the band's surprise, Absolute Punk both gave the album a rating of 90, commenting on the band's vocal style and the instrumentation being different from previous albums. All Music Guide, "Alternative Press", and The Onion A.V. club also praised the album as well. However, "Under the Radar" had mixed reviews, but commented on the tunes being enjoyable as well as the Dupree sisters' voices being thrilling. "The Austin Chronicle" gave the album a negative review, criticizing the album's focus to love and broken relationships as opposed to the whimsical style and fantastical imagery found on the band's 2005 debut "Room Noises" and the EPs before.