Dubbed as a rock soul album,[1] it was primarily produced by Harmony Samuels whom Fantasia called her "Quincy Jones,"[2] referring to their creation process.

"[8] SoulTracks editor Melody Charles found that Side Effects of You was "a lot like its creator and co-author: enthralling ("In Deep"), engaging ("To The Heavens") and at times, uneven in execution ("Haunted") [...] Experiencing her still-evolving prowess as a person and performer is just like her most recent American Idol set: bold, brash and beautiful to behold.

"[10] Gerrick D. Kennedy from The Los Angeles Times praised the project as "sumptuous contemporary R&B dipped in vintage rock and soul,"[11] with Billboard noting: "More international in flavor and more adventurous than earlier outings, Side Effects of You gives Fantasia the chance to fully show off her vocal versatility.

"[1] Bianca Roach, writing for Times Colonist, found that Side Effects of You "reminds us exactly why she captured our hearts to win 2004's American Idol.

"[12] Today's Christopher Toh felt that "this offering is, for some reason, rather melodramatic and rhythmically annoying, but one can't really fault her vocal performance much.