"The Aquarian Weekly" writer Courtney Muir said the "melody remains thick and the overall tune is catchy" throughout "Direction", referring to it as "a definite redemption for the band that has come a long way". "The A.V. Club" Aaron Burgess said: "Vasoli now sounds less concerned with impressing little girls and more interested in connecting with their older siblings as a legitimate artist. With more such surprises, he just might break out of character." "Melodic" reviewer Pär Winberg praised the album for being "a very good piece of plastic" and complimented Benson's "very good" production.