Justin Chadwick from Albumism described "Shiny Happy People" as "buoyant" and R.E.M.'s "most unabashedly pop-fueled composition of their career". He added, "Regardless of the song's true inspirations or whether you care for the song or not, I suspect most can agree that the soaring backing vocals supplied by Kate Pierson, of R.E.M.'s fellow Athens based comrades The B-52's, are the unequivocal highlight." Larry Flick from "Billboard" wrote, "Ace guitarist Peter Buck drives alternative band further into the mainstream on this commercially accessible, hook-driven pop tune." He stated that Pierson "contributes splendid vocal harmonies on infectious, sing-along chorus."