Hot Press said the collaboration between the two was "not the most obvious musical coupling", describing Sandoval as the "queen of the American smoky folk/rock underground" and Ó Cíosóig as the "drummer and percussionist with the almost mythical Anglo-Irish, tremolo-happy distortionists [My Bloody Valentine]," but went on to call their work on At the Doorway Again a "very successful alliance."

They said "Around My Smile" was a "tremendously atmospheric shimmerfest, with an almost otherworldly reverb from the guitars providing the perfect setting for Sandoval to sing those sweet, soft, sultry blues.

[5] AllMusic said of the remaining two songs: "Far away from the heavy or morose sounds of their previous bands, on the instrumental 'Sparkly', Sandoval whispers, warbles, and croons through beautiful acoustic guitars, light vibes, and strings, while on 'Down the Steps' she sings breathlessly over a simple piano progression.

[4] Washington City Paper echoed this sentiment, saying that although Ó Cíosóig was a "potentially more upbeat writing partner [than David Roback] ... [Sandoval's] Mazzyfied [sic] musical intent remains intact: complete listener sedation."

They described the songs on the EP as "increasingly depressing", but summarized by saying: "Of course, there's something to be said for droning, turgid folk rock that induces full-body paralysis: The open-air, acoustic soundscapes here are consistently gorgeous and ultimately soothing, and Ji-Young Moon's weepy cello on 'Down the Steps' is the perfect heartache accompaniment to Sandoval's lilting, lulling voice.