[3] Paul Simpson of AllMusic stated, "His music seems a slight bit more danceable and accessible than before, but not to the point of pandering to a hedonistic club audience.

"[4] Sheldon Pearce of Consequence of Sound stated, "The biggest difference between the two projects is that The Water[s] focused in on the dense raps, and Wave[s] is far more vibe-driven, with songs ready for radio.

stated, "Wave[s] is a clear indication that Jenkins is expanding his sound and stepping away from expectation as he prepares his debut album, The Healing Component.

"[6] Brian Duricy of PopMatters stated, "On Wave[s], Mick Jenkins, whether consciously or otherwise, created a polished body of work with radio-ready potential.

"[9] Sidney Madden of XXL stated, "Although it doesn't pan out on every track, the cohesive work allows the listener to feel that they've plunged into the depths of Mick's mind and come out with a soaked sense of clarity.