AllMusic reviewer Jason Damas wrote that "Meltdown" was "burst with the hooks and little musical flourishes that have made the more mature Ash records such a treat," with minimal "meandering malaise" that plagued the band's second album, "Nu-Clear Sounds" (1998). He added that it was a "surprisingly strong and assured record" that would enhance the band's legacy. Yahoo! Launch writer Emma Morgan said that the album "sounds exactly like what it is – a post-pubescent take" on the band's debut studio album, "1977" (1996). She went on fruther to say, it was a "turdy, well-written and ... mature addition to Ash’s enduring and near-essential canon". JR of "IGN" called it "every bit as good as you'd hoped it would be", providing "on enough levels to accept the invitation into your stereo… and your brain." "Drowned in Sound" founder Sean Adams viewed as a "combo of Ash of all ages ... This is the kinda rock record us malnourished Brits can be proud of. It's Ash being Ash." Andrew Unterberger of "Stylus Magazine" said the metal influence delivers "enough to give the album a bit of personality and distinctiveness without totally overpowering the band’s signature sound."