At first, Duff was concerned about the reaction of fans to the new songs, since they carry a "totally different sound" and are more dance-oriented than her previous music.

However, the Dead Executives-produced tracks received favorable comments; critics wrote that they stood out from the rest of the album.

The lead single, "Wake Up", was released in August 2005, and peaked within the top ten in countries including Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom.

[6] The following month, in an interview with MTV News, Duff said that she had been working with brothers Joel and Benji Madden, of the American rock band Good Charlotte, and Jason Epperson (together known under the production name the Dead Executives) to write and produce new songs for the compilation.

[2] Joel, whom Duff had been dating at the time, was aware that she needed new material for a compilation album, and knew that she wanted a "totally different sound".

[12] The track listing for Most Wanted was revealed on July 12, 2005,[13] and the album was released on August 16, 2005 in the United States and Canada.

[15] Another version with a bonus DVD including music videos to selected songs and "making of" clips was also released in the same region.

[10] "Wake Up", the opening track, is a mid-tempo[19] number backed by dance, pop and electronic beats,[20][21] and has "a more mature pop-techno sound" than Duff's previous work.

[22] As the chorus draws near, the song takes on a "party anthem" approach, where Duff discusses the "struggle" for joy and self-confidence: "I know I make mistakes / I'm living life day to day / It's never really easy but it's OK..."[22][23] According to Duff, the song "makes you want to forget about all the pressure of dealing with your boss, or your teacher, or your mom, or [whoever]," and lyrically discusses "getting out and not forgetting to have some fun.

[22] The version of "Girl Can Rock" featured on the album, according to Anthony Miccio of Baltimore City Paper has a chord progression similar to the song "Cherry Pie" by American band Warrant.

"[14] Bill Lamb of About.com noted that the three new songs "seem to be marking time instead of finding a new direction" but said that "[the] remaining bulk of this collection is strong.

"[22] He further commented that Most Wanted is a "filler album" and that "[T]he new songs that are served up still show Duff chasing trends rather than setting them and actively searching for her own voice and image.

He praised the Dead Executives produced tracks and concluded the review by writing that "apparently there aren't even enough bearable moments in Duff's recording career to fill one CD".

"[30] Leong noted that the title fitted the album perfectly and that it proves "its innocuous appeal of infectious bubblegum pop.

"[30] David Hiltbrand of The Philadelphia Inquirer commented that it was "a little early in the career" to release a greatest hits album and that it showcased that "Duff is more product than talent.

"[33] Aidin Vaziri of San Francisco Chronicle also commented that it was premature as it was too early in Duff's career to release a greatest hits compilation.

He commended the new tracks produced by the Dead Executives writing that they "help alleviate the feeling that this is a total cash grab.

[38] In September 2005, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIIA) for shipments of over one million copies.

[42] In Australia, the album debuted at number three and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipments of over 70,000 copies.

[46] Overseas, in the United Kingdom, Most Wanted debuted at number 31, with first-week sales of 10,661 copies,[47] and stayed on the chart for a total of five weeks.

[61] The song was met with generally mixed reviews from critics; a few noted that the Madden-produced track was a standout on the album.

He also commended Duff's vocal style in the song and remarked that it would "put her singing career on par with her hyperactive acting endeavors.

"[62] Stephen Thomas Erlwine of Allmusic commented that it sounded like "leftovers"[14] Commercially, "Wake Up" peaked within the top 10 in Italy, Ireland, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom.

[64][65] The accompanying music video for the song, directed by Marc Webb, portrays Duff in several different looks, representing styles from Tokyo, London, Paris and New York City.

Chuck Taylor of Billboard wrote: "Pop music is always appreciated, but this is a kiddie anthem, plain and simple, so repetitive and childlike [...] that is hardly a contender for contemporary radio.

[48] A third single from the album was planned to be released, but due to Duff's busy schedule and exhaustion from touring, it did not materialize.