AllMusic writes "Through and through, "Exposed" is an album directed at older tweens and teens, and it does tend to act its age, never presenting DeBarge as someone pretending to be any more wise or worldly than the average 19-year-old. Some of the material could use a shot of personality, but DeBarge is too relatable to deny. And though her voice has yet to fully develop and lacks the uniqueness running through her bloodline, it's clear she landed a major-label contract on the basis of her talent. "Entertainment Weekly" writes, "the featherweight kiss-off "Goodbye", which cannily samples one-off wonder Steam's 1969 sports-stadium staple, "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye". It likely helped the 19-year-old land a gig opening for Britney Spears' Circus tour beginning this August, though "Exposed"'s airy, girlish pop – especially cotton-candy Casio grooves like "Future Love" and "Died in Your Eyes" – mostly recalls the female stars of her dad's era: Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Paula Abdul, and (coincidence?) Exposé. "Blues & Soul" states, "Exposed" "showcases the teenage Ms. DeBarge's personal journey of self-discovery through a variety of musical moods -ranging from the robust urban pop of 'Somebody' and furiously-driving 'Sabotage' to more soulful cuts like the hauntingly yearning 'Future Love', sexily undulating 'It's Gotta Be Love', and the sadly surging break-up anthem 'Cried Me a River'". "Newsday" states, ""Exposed" is the result of all that work, featuring her light, effortless vocals tackling a lot of sweet, pretty pop – much of which was written and/or produced by Babyface. No wonder it all seems pretty inevitable. DeBarge comes across as a streetwise Jordin Sparks with the stomping smash 'Goodbye' and the new, more dance-oriented Rihanna-esque single 'Sabotage'. But what really sets her apart are the first-rate ballads that she flutters across, from the lovelorn 'Disconnect', which anyone from Miley Cyrus to Whitney Houston would have fought to get on their albums, to the simple, quirky piano ballad 'Doesn't Everybody Want to Fall in Love' that is also destined to be a smash.