Built on a stoic, snare-heavy retro break beat and a smooth, rhythmic groove, the song's instrumentation includes moody synthesizers, keyboard tones, and drums.

The song was acclaimed by contemporary music critics, who praised its retro vibe, as well as the production handled by Remi and Tamia's gentle vocals.

[4][5] SoulinStereo called the song "easily the album standout" and wrote: "It's as sultry as it's catchy – a playfully infectious mid-tempo groove that immediately seduces your ears.

"[6] Los Angeles Times writer Gerrick D. Kennedy described "Leave It Smokin'" as a "seductive neo-soul throwback,"[7] while Elias Light from Rolling Stone remarked that it "employs a serviceable Soul II Soul-like shuffle.

[10][11][12] Actor Bill Nighy included the song in his café playlist, released to The Guardian in January 2020.

[14] When asked about her decision to select it as the lead single from Passion Like Fire, Tamia elaborated: "Every time I work with Salaam Remi, I leave thinking I have a great record, and then he sits with it for three weeks and makes a thousand edits and just lives with it [...] I just felt such a connection with the song.

[17] "Leave It Smokin'" debuted at number 28 on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs in the week ending May 12, becoming Tamia's first entry on the list since "Stuck with Me" in 2015.