[3] Empire Central was recorded live in front of a studio audience over the course of eight days at Deep Ellum Art Company, a converted venue space in Dallas, Texas.

[8] Empire Central draws influence from a variety of genres, including jazz, funk, blues, R&B, gospel, and hard rock.

[12] AllMusic's Matt Collar called Empire Central "one of Snarky Puppy's most enjoyable and accessible albums to date," writing that it showcases "the group's longstanding knack for crafting groove-based instrumental tracks rife with hooky melodies, sophisticated arrangements, and exploratory improvisations."

[13] Tina Edwards of The Telegraph praised the album's diverse global influences and old-fashioned sensibilities, calling it "as unclassifiable as it is virtuosic", while also noting it "feels like a collection of singles rather than a chronological record.

"[15] In a mixed review for JazzTimes, writer Morgan Enos called the music of Empire Central "rock-solid", while at the same time lacking "a certain je ne sais quoi" compared to Snarky Puppy's other albums.