"[2] James T. Jones IV was more enthusiastic in USA Today, commenting that it "may frustrate those who want to hear something truly different" from Sade, but would satisfy fans with its "quasi-jazz moods, light Afro-Latin undercurrents and minimalist arrangements".

[13] Writing for NME, David Quantick found Love Deluxe not "much different" from Sade's previous work, yet still "a fine album" having "proper tunes and neat arrangements", and "the soul of subtlety.

"[9] In Rolling Stone, Mark Coleman deemed Sade Adu an "exacting" lyricist and Love Deluxe an "artfully arranged and tastefully executed album" that "repays the time it takes to grow on you.

"[15] Retrospectively, AllMusic's Ron Wynn wrote that Love Deluxe "marked a return to the detached cool jazz backing and even icier vocals that made her debut album a sensation" with an "urbane" sound.

[3] In the 2004 Rolling Stone Album Guide, Roni Sarig noted that it introduced "subtle divergences" to Sade's standard style, with "No Ordinary Love" in particular pointing to the band's later shift "toward the sleeker, more digital sound of modern British pop.