[6] In a three and a half star review by AllMusic, Matt Collar averred, "despite this heaviness, Anberlin have crafted an album of deeply emotive and, one imagines for longtime fans, cathartic songs.

"[3] In a three and a half star review from Alternative Press, Evan Lucy remarked, it "isn't as good as Vital, but it still does an admirable job at continuing Anberlin's sonic expansion", but "There's a push and pull, between these styles [modern rock and new wave] that ultimately makes Lowborn feel a bit conflicted, like the yin and yang of growing older but refusing to let the fire burn out completely.

[4] In a review of 75 percent by AbsolutePunk, Craig Manning wrote, "Luckily, Lowborn is a fairly strong record on a song-for-song basis, and the added emotional heft of it being a swansong helps to elevate it above the weaker entries in the band’s catalog – even despite its numerous issues.

"[19] In a five star review from New Release Tuesday, Mary Nikkel wrote, "With Lowborn, Anberlin has set the crown on an already illustrious career" displays exactly how "The group is definitely successfully blazing out rather than fading away.

"[10] In a four and a half star review by Jesus Freak Hideout, Roger Gelwicks said, "It's a complete album in every sense, and the creative process that's present here marks a seasoned band that has diversified themselves in fine ways.

"[12] In a four star review for Jesus Freak Hideout's Additional 2 Cents, John DiBiase wrote, "This may not be the mighty bow-out that all fans were hoping for, but it's easily some of the best alt rock of the year, regardless.

"[14] Mark Rice, in yet another 2 Cents review, rated the album four stars and said that, according to him, it is "more mellow" than fans expect, whilst "the music often overpowers Stephen Christian's vocals to the point of intelligibility.

The band started collecting new material at the end of 2012, with a focus on "crafting solidly good ideas that melded each musician’s individual tastes and influences" rather than to "cranking out as many songs as possible".