The album continued the shift begun by its predecessor from the band's previous folk style to a minimal rock sound,[1] with an even balance of electric and acoustic material.

[2] The new lineup with Finn toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe during 1970, acquainting audiences with their new electric sound while recording an album meant to capture it on tape.

Just as a new single "Ride a White Swan" was to see release in October 1970, Bolan decided to shorten the group's name to T. Rex, reflecting the change in style (as well as making it easier for people to pronounce).

[2] The album continued in the vein of the duo's previous effort A Beard of Stars, with an even further emphasis on an electric rock sound as well as the addition of strings, scored by Visconti, on several tracks.

Journalist Tom Everett observed that Bolan was "clearly infatuated with mysticism, as well as the pure sounds of the English language",[5] although it would be the final time this subject matter would dominate his work.

Reviewer Todd Everett praised the band for "their ability to intermix vocal and instrumental sounds — the voices often go into a feedback guitar imitation.

[5] In the UK reception was also highly positive, with Ray Hollingworth of Melody Maker describing it as "energy-packed rock, basted with Bolan's poetic and imaginative vocals",[13] while Nick Logan of New Musical Express opined it was "immensely enjoyable...electricity has had a dual effect of strengthening the rhythmic and melodic qualities of Bolan's compositions and after five albums, it must be a source of satisfaction to pull out such good songs".

[6] In his retrospective review, Mark Deming of AllMusic wrote, "T. Rex is the quiet before the storm of Electric Warrior, and it retains a loopy energy and easy charm that makes it one of Bolan's watershed works".

[4] Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis noted that the album "allowed Bolan's instincts to the fore: more electric guitar; sharper, simpler rhythms; vocals doused in the old-fashioned slapback echo found on "Heartbreak Hotel"; strings accentuating a penchant for what Julian Cope would later characterize as the “Glam Descend”, chord sequences lurching in downward patterns that sound simultaneously melancholy and triumphant".

[10] Likewise, a review in Ultimate Classic Rock calls it an instant classic, noting that the album is filled with songs like "Childe", "Beltane Walk", and "One Inch Rock" that are "50's rockers dressed up in early 70's flair...Bolan, along with Finn and producer Tony Visconti, mined a sound that, with just a bit of tweaking, would catapult T. Rex onto the pop charts with a string of massive hits in their native U.K."[14] Richard Barone of the Bongos covered "The Visit" on his first solo album, Cool Blue Halo (1987).