The visual illusion generated by spinning the disks at the correct speed coupled with the shutter of a camera is both confusing and hypnotic.

[22] The band released the title track "Glowing in the Dark" on the same day as the album announcement.

[24] The music video, directed by Jim Canty and shot in Mystic, Connecticut, follows a small child dressed in a green alien costume wandering around town.

[2] In a review for AllMusic, Timothy Monger wrote: "Django Django's arrangements are rarely simple and for the most part, this holds true on Glowing in the Dark, but there is a kind of immediacy and uplift to a number of the songs, particularly the shimmering opener "Spirals" and the bouncy pop of "Free from Gravity".

As a whole, Glowing in the Dark is a mostly solid, well-built album with enough standouts to keep it fresh without venturing too far out of the group's wheelhouse.

"[4] John Wohlmacher of Beats Per Minute stated: "Somewhat of a return to form, the album sounds like warm summer nights and white wine, 90s videogames and 00s Beck; there’s a lot here that contradicts the still-ongoing mood of lockdown fatigue.

"[5] Nick Roseblade of Clash explained: "While Glowing In The Dark isn't their strongest album to date is it their most accomplished.

"[6] Sean Kerwick of DIY gave the release a four out of five stars, noting "Glowing In The Dark embraces a more rustic approach favouring dusty synths and guitar over the glossy sheen of predecessor Marble Skies.