Allison has always had a fine ear for tricky melodies, playful moods and an occasional dollop of world beat and free improv, and this album is no exception.

"[3] Writing for Jazz Trail, Filipe Freitas admired the album's "empowerment and enchantment," and stated: "The quintet's good chemistry is never in question and the music becomes a pure reflection of their cohesive spontaneity.

Layers of the City mirrors Allison's uniquely expressive compositional style with illuminated strokes of genius, becoming an important entry in the bassist's stupendous discography.

"[5] Mac Randall of Jazz Times noted the album's "mood of deep thoughtfulness with a touch of mystery," and singled out "Blowback" for praise, calling it "an object lesson in the transmutational possibilities that a piece of music can contain.

"[6] In an article for JazzIz, Matt Micucci commented: "Like so many of Allison's previous releases, this one is consistently engaging and surprising, not unlike the metropolis that inspired it — his hometown of New York City, with its contrasting layers of grime and gleam, grit and dazzle.