"[9] Martin Johnson of JazzTimes stated, "It’s not hard to imagine in these times of pandemic, global climate crisis, and a capricious level of economic stratification that an artist would want to put healing music into the world, and consistent with Spalding’s previous efforts, Songwrights Apothecary Lab is forward and didactic.

"[16] Sheldon Pearce of The New Yorker commented, "When it comes to the music’s intended applications, the listener’s mileage may vary, but there is something enriching happening in these sessions.

This is the opposite of improvisation—this music is carefully formulated, plotted with purpose—yet it retains much of the charm and the fearlessness of Spalding’s previous work.

The compositions make efficient use of her relaxed voice, itself an instrument of healing capable of quieting the mind and unclenching the body.

"[17] Tarisai Ngangura of Pitchfork called the album "a strangely romantic, sometimes didactic effort to mold the often private experience of listening and feeling the healing power of music.