[3] Matt Collar of AllMusic praised the album, stating, "These are incredibly moving songs full of bittersweet asides that strike you at first with their haiku-like simplicity, only to draw you deeper into González's iceberg of ideas.

Ultimately, it's this ability to stop you in your tracks and hold you with the warmth of his voice as you contemplate your existence that makes Vestiges & Claws such an arresting, uplifting joy.

With Vestiges & Claws, he is embracing his own style, his musical expertise, his lyrical prowess – without any hint of hesitance or the feeling that, in order to make a great record, he needs to feature what's already familiar.

"[7] Ian Cohen of Pitchfork gave the album an average review, stating, "Even when Vestiges & Claws exudes strain, González never gives the impression of truly challenging himself.

Even when fronting a legitimate, kraut-influenced rock band in Junip, it just sounds like José González with the rhythmic tracework of his solo albums filled in.