[2] For the production of the album Varner enlisted writers and producers including J. Cole, Pop & Oak, Frankie Storm, and Darrhyl Camper.

Frustrated that she was not instantly successful, she dropped the guitar and became a part of Alexander Hamilton High School's Academy of Music's Vocal Jazz Group.

[20] In a positive review for Rolling Stone, Maura Johnston called Perfectly Imperfect "confident and catchy" with interesting musical elements and said that Varner sings in a way that underscores "the plain-spoken nature of her lyrics".

[16] Sarah Godfrey from The Washington Post felt that the album is exceptional because of its balance between "mainstream tracks and the edgier songs".

[21] Allmusic editor Andy Kellman believed that comparisons of Varner to Chrisette Michele and Jazmine Sullivan as unavoidable, but that her songwriting is unique and conveys her feelings in "such imaginative and clever ways".

[13] George Lang of The Oklahoman praised the album's "organic delivery and sensibilities", and asserted that "Varner could be the real thing, a singer who can bridge the gap between the sweet soul of the past and the tech-enabled pop of modern chart singles.

"[22] In The New York Times, Nate Chinen wrote that Varner is appropriately modest in her songwriting, which can account for "no moments on this album in which she sounds indecorous, imperious or inhuman.

"[23] Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer wrote that Varner "nails one purposeful, personality-packed song after another ... nine of which are distinct and memorable after only a few listens.

"[14] Writing for MSN Music, Robert Christgau found Varner "funny" and "disciplined" as a songwriter, "especially by the standards of r&b divas who share management with Lauryn and Alicia".

He added that with the help of well crafted hooks from her collaborators, "she hones her God-given vocal intensity with no recourse to belting or melisma, and she keeps the grit under control".

[15] Christgau later ranked Perfectly Imperfect number 32 on his list of the year's best albums for The Barnes & Noble Review.