 AllMusic reviewer Johnny Loftus complimented the group's "leaner, more moody sound" despite them abandoning "sugar-high" hooks for "less direct yet still succinct songcraft".Loftus said the release is not "a sun-and-sand summertime record" but it set the stage for "kids making the transition from goofy preteen pop-punk to bands like the Alkaline Trio".All lyrics by Gabe Saporta.