[8] Writing for Allmusic, music critic Matt Collar wrote "the album showcases lead singer Rachael Price's resonant, old-school singing, which is still the main reason to listen to Lake Street Dive.

Of course, with her band backing her at various times with harmony vocals, jazzy trumpet, crunchy tube guitar riffs, and woody jazz basslines, there's always something rootsy and unexpected happening around her on Bad Self Portraits.

"[1] Zachary Houle of PopMatters wrote Bad Self Portraits "is a startling record, one that shows the group tightening up its songwriting chops and presenting a much more unified statement, front to back.

"[5] Hilary Saunders of Paste Magazine wrote "Lake Street Dive is a group effort and that its core is powerfully impressive, even if this collection of songs is wrapped up in an unnecessarily over-produced package.

"[6] Annie Galvin of Slant Magazine wrote "Bigger, louder, and more eclectic works well on Bad Self Portraits, but smaller, quieter, and more precise was what made the band's earlier efforts so distinctive.