[1][2] In an interview with Nandi Madiba on Apple Music's Africa Now Radio, Olamide discussed the reason for the delay of Unruly, it being the rise of Afrobeats during the year.

Adeayo Adebiyi of Pulse Nigeria described Unruly as a solid, pop-driven album where the artist embraced shapeshifting across genres, heavily influenced by younger collaborators like his label signee Asake.

Despite its stellar production and sonic coherence, he felt the album struggled to retain Olamide's earlier rawness, making it less compelling for longtime fans.

[10] Betty Godson of NotJustOk described Unruly as a cohesive and experimental album where Olamide showcased his versatility while blending traditional Yoruba rap with contemporary sounds.

[9] Patrick Ezema of Afrocritik highlighted Olamide's Unruly as a dynamic album that excelled through "sparkling production and honeyed vocalists," showcasing the artist’s evolution rather than a return to his early street-focused style.

He praised the album's cohesion and artistic depth, noting that Olamide seemed reinvigorated, crafting a project full of memorable moments and reflecting on his legacy.