The album features guest appearances from Mastermind, Ashanti, New Machine, Bakar, AJ Tracey and Ed Sheeran.

The release has received generally favourable reviews from critics, who have noted the evolution of the rapper's style and persona as well as the diversity present in the individual tracks, but criticised the uneven quality of the songs.

[7] In NME, Fred Garratt-Stanley gave Close to Home four out of five stars, noting how Aitch's public persona has matured with this album.

[15] Sister publications The Guardian and The Observer rated this album three out of five stars; in the former, critic Alexis Petridis situating the release in terms of contemporary British youth culture, but noting the unevenness of the production[13] and in the latter, Ammar Kalia praised the development of Aitch as a musician.

[16] Writing for The Line of Best Fit, Wepea Buntugu scored Close to Home a seven out of 10 due to the variety of emotions and tones found on the music and noting the successful collaborations, but opining that "there are a number of extra levels to reach".