Separation Anxieties was recorded on the island of Kauai with famed producer Todd Rundgren through the course of six weeks.

receiving the website's first perfect rating and Split Personalities receiving a 9.7), gave Separation Anxieties a 2.0 out of a possible 10, with writer Matt LeMay panning the album: "This record is acid reflux, gastroenteritis, and dysentery all rolled into one.

also gave Separation Anxieties a negative review, with writer Cam Lindsay writing that the "melodies seem to have potential, but are then ruined by either the "futuristic-ness" or the terrible lyrics.

AllMusic gave the album 3 stars out of a possible 5 and claimed that "the quirky pop edge that helped make earlier releases such a joy is still present".

[7] Justin Vernon of the indie-folk band Bon Iver is a noted fan of the album, stating: "All my picks would come from the last two records.