called Chai "sleek" and "rousing" and opined that "the band subvert these traditions and expectations to deliver one of the most exciting, well-produced and bold pop albums of the year".

[7] NME's Erica Campbell described it as "an intentional ode to city pop, [...] all with the goal of digging into their heritage and identity filtered through a Western sonic lens.

The result isn't at all dated go, as the quartet revel in modern beats, swirling soulful '90s arrangements under lyrics they associate with nostalgia".

[1] Amanda Farah of The Quietus found that "whereas their previous album, Wink, had some laidback grooves and opportunities to properly croon, Chai bounces along at a high energy clip, honing a polished and effervescent pop record".

[8] Tim Sendra of AllMusic found that Chai "imbue their city pop with a healthy dose of giddy energy along with loads of non-preachy empowerment, dancefloor-filling rhythms, and shouted choruses", concluding that "as long as they make records as carefree and positively joyful as this, they will always be worth checking out".