The song received a positive reception from various publications and was compared to works by several other artists, including Florence and the Machine, Marina and the Diamonds, Paloma Faith and Ella Henderson.
[5] On 29 October 2014, it was revealed that Derry had signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia and would be releasing "All of the Pieces" as her debut solo single.
[13] In an interview with Jessie Papain of The West Australian, Derry recalled the moment she first heard "All of the Pieces", saying: "At first I loved the sound – the melody and chorus is really unique.
[14] Amy Nelmes of MusicFix also likened its sound to Florence and the Machine as well as Marina and the Diamonds, and noted that Derry adopts "softer, folky tones" in the song.
[15] Chris Jameson of Joy 94.9 found the single to be "very reminiscent of Paloma Faith and Ella Henderson",[10] while Kirsten Maree of Renowned for Sound felt it "lands somewhere between a MS MR and Emeli Sandé track".
"[13] Kathy McCabe of The Daily Telegraph described "All of the Pieces" as an "epic single" which is "reminiscent of the Florence and the Machine style" that goes with Derry's "voice and personality".
[16] Michael James of Q News described "All of the Pieces" as "dark and lilting" and "gently anthemic and moving", noting that it is "a far cry from the bubblegum pop" people would have expected to hear from Derry.
[18] James further added, "The song plays to the strength of her vocals, utilising her diverse range, striking the highs and lows in equal balance rather than relying on power notes and diva styling.
The five-track EP contains her debut solo single of the same name and four studio recordings of songs she performed as a top twelve finalist on The X Factor Australia, including a previously unheard downtempo rearrangement of Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)".
[29][30] Kirsten Maree of Renowned for Sound awarded All of the Pieces two-and-a-half stars out of five and praised the title track, but had mixed feelings towards the covers as she preferred the original versions.