Umbilical is the sixth studio album by American sludge metal band Thou.

[6] Sputnikmusic staff Sunnyvale concluded: "Umbilical unleashes a different side of the band's signature blend of bone-crunching riffs and ear-splitting screeching, but it's characteristically well-crafted and certain to satisfy music fans previously seduced by Thou's grim and imposing style".

[9] Patrick Lyons of Pitchfork stated: "Thou are a blast even when Funck is digging into esoteric philosophy over the slowest riff you've ever heard, but it's refreshing to hear them get real with themselves, jogging their music out of the enthralling but insular world they've created over the past 15-plus years".

[8] John Amen of Beats Per Minute concluded, "with Umbilical, Thou toe the doom-metal line re the inevitability of suffering/the urgent need for defiance while rummaging in an expanded playbook.

Fred Thomas called it, "a nightmarish depiction of destroyed emotions and blind rage, its combination of production subtleties and light nods to '90s influences" and claimed that the band "peel away just enough intensity to make the album Thou's most coherent and engaging work yet.