Aespa's first entry on the US Billboard 200 at number 20, Savage also topped the Gaon Album Chart and was certified 2× Platinum by the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) for selling 500,000 units.

[4] According to the Paper magazine, Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment and executive producer of their EP, "personally directed every small detail" of their production, including the pronunciation of every syllable.

[10][8][4] Divyansha Dongre of Rolling Stone India described the EP as "multi-genre",[11] and MTV noted that Savage "blends dance and pop with elements of house, trap, rap, and other genres.

"[4] Rolling Stone stated that the record "showcases futuristic elements in its visuals and sound" and "further expands on the virtual world of Aespa.

"[7] Lead single "Savage" was described as "brilliant" in its eclectic blend of genres, including trap music, dubstep and intense power balladry with "drums and basses" as the main focus.

[7][12] Narrating the group's ongoing efforts to defy the Black Mamba, the track further elucidates Aespa and ae proceeding to the virtual world of Kwangya with the help of nævis.

[11] The song blends "addictive" hooks, rap verses and ad-libs while displaying the group's ability to take on varied vocals.

[8] "I'll Make You Cry" is a dance-pop "fierce revenge anthem" with "a unique rhythm", "twinkling beats" and "ear-catching synth sound".

"[8][14] It starts with "strong" hip hop[7] and turns into "a series of alternatingly sweet and sassy verses all about how iconic Aespa is.

[15][7] The song is a "poignant blur" of "hypnotic" synthesizers and "gentle" trap beats mixed with "intricate" layers of breathy vocals.

[23] AllMusic critic David Crone stated that the EP is "a glitchy, futuristic take on the K-Pop mini-album" that continues to "demonstrate the star power of Aespa's leading foursome".

[24] Tamar Herman of the South China Morning Post summarized Savage as "cohesive listening experience" that is "invigorating and satisfying", adding it was "successful in showcasing what the members of Aespa have to offer as one of most ambitious newer female K-pop acts out there.

Carmen Chin of NME awarded the EP four stars out of five, writing that "Savage's brand of vibrant, punchy electronic pop falls perfectly in sync with the unconventionality aespa have so boldly presented in their one year as a group.

"[8] MTV's Regina Kim stated that "Savage provides a sonic backdrop that exists outside this imagined world," and added that the mini album is "giving listeners glimpses into an overarching fable.