Heather Phares of AllMusic stated the song "melds slick electronic percussion and a searching, minor-key melody into something that echoes the duo's previous work without rehashing it.

"[2] Shingai of idobi Radio wrote that "'The High Road' serves as a great introduction [for the album], with soothing multi-layered vocals and beautiful lyrics weaving in and out of hypnotizing drum beats, synths and various other instruments.

"[3] PopMatters' Anthony Lombardi observed, "When Mercer and Burton are on point [...] it works, and works well: opener and lead single, 'The High Road', proves the perfect vantage point, its minor-key melody, noodly synths and clapping percussion providing an ample bed for the soaring, swelling chorus.

"[17] Stone's version received positive reviews from music critics, who compared it to her 2003 cover of The White Stripes' song "Fell in Love with a Girl".

[18] Hal Horowitz of American Songwriter stated, "Like her revelatory reading of the White Stripes' 'Fell in Love with a Girl' from the first set, Stone brings her throaty R&B to the Broken Bells' 'The High Road' in one of this album's finest performances.