[1][2] In a review for DownBeat, Daniel Margolis stated that, in relation to the trio's performances on their debut album, The Reel finds them "even tighter as a unit," engaging in "noteworthy interplay.

He suggested that the album "reinforces his abilities as a composer and bandleader, where his weighty, expansive command of his full kit has no problem making up for the lack of a bassist," and commented: "As if we needed more proof of Taylor’s innate musicality, here it is.

"[8] Writing for Point of Departure, Troy Collins called the album "an aesthetic distillation of Taylor's career to date," and noted the trio's "near clairvoyant level of interplay."

"[9] Brad Rose of Foxy Digitalis wrote: "Podgurski squeezes mesmerizing, pointillist patterns into Taylor's angular rhythms, blazing a path that Settles lights on fire.

"[11] Commenting for Jazz Trail, Filipe Freitas remarked: "there are no weak moments on The Reel, an album that holds one's interest on account of emotional honesty and a refreshing musical imagination made with a mix of complete unpretentiousness and necessary complexity.