Prior to release, Mansionair said Shadowboxer is "a record about deciding to lift our gaze from the darkness and acknowledge the light that shapes us.

"[7] Cyclone Wehner from The Music said "Shadowboxer chronicles Mansionair bonding, surmounting self-doubt, and achieving life balance.

"[8] Al Newstead from Triple J said "At 16 tracks, it's clear the band struggled to balance four years' worth of old and new, but the 'more is more' approach has somewhat diluted the key theme of the record."

Newstead concluding with saying, "Shadowboxer punches above its weight and is the work of a group who may yet deliver a total knock out in their career.

It is clear that every note, every beat, and every word has been thought out to accurately reflect the journey of the band thus far, as they grapple with the problems thrown up by life.”"[11]