[7] In a press release on 20 February 2014, the group announced the track as their third single and described it as "a sexy, fun feel-good song with a more mature sound" that is "upbeat" and "shows another side to Neon Jungle.

[9] "Welcome to the Jungle" was premiered on radio in the United Kingdom on 10 March 2014, and made available to pre-order through iTunes with a release date of 20 April 2014.

[11] With regard to the reason behind the song being chosen as the group's third single, Plummer explained in an interview with Kate Metcalfe of Lights Out Entertainment: "I think people may have been expecting us to take it down a notch with a ballad but you know what?

[19] Sonically, "Welcome to the Jungle" is upbeat and synth-laden,[20] and features primarily Auto-Tuned harmonies,[21] "hands-in-the-air atmospherics,"[9] euphoric breakdowns,[2] and a dub-heavy beat.

Rebecca Mattina of ANDPOP stated that "you know it's about to go down" when McCarthy and Shereen Cutkelvin begin to sing the lyric "Tonight I'll hunt you down, boy can you make me growl".

[19] Vada Magazine's Mark Rocks felt "Welcome to the Jungle" was "engineered specifically to be that song you hear as you're getting off with a stranger in a club at 3 am", while also recognizing it for showing a "more vulnerable" side to the girl band.

Celebrity, the song pursued the chaotic dance-floor-friendly sound evident in Neon Jungle's previous singles "Trouble" and "Braveheart".

O'Brien further described "Welcome to the Jungle" as "not exactly subtle" and opined that the track "neatly sums up what the girl band are about in three and a half dizzying minutes.

"[27] Renowned for Sound's Helena Ho felt that the song was reminiscent of the musical output of the American group Krewella and French disc jockey David Guetta.

[28] Radio Aire called the track "epic" and "tantalizing", saying that "'Welcome to the Jungle' picks up where the girls left off with earth-shattering beats, insanely catchy vocals and hands-in-the-air atmospherics.

"[9] ANDPOP's Rebecca Mattina felt that the track was one of the group's best, saying that it "perfectly captures the essence of Neon Jungle: sassy, strong, and fun.

"[18] Metro Radio described "Welcome to the Jungle" as a "typically epic electro-pop powerhouse complete with euphoric breakdowns, an insanely catchy chorus and skilful rapping.

"[2] Renowned for Sound's Helena Ho felt the song showcased Plummer and McCarthy's rapping talent, and commended the track for its "catchy" hooks and "energetic" tempo.

Celebrity, Jon O'Brien stated, "Despite little radio support, Neon Jungle have started to nip at the heels of The Saturdays and Little Mix for the title of Britain's best girl band".

[26] Idolator's Mike Wass echoed O'Brien's view, dubbing the quartet the "UK's hottest girl group" while noting McCarthy's "fiery" rap in the song as its highlight.

[22] Robert Copsey and Lewis Corner from Digital Spy positively reviewed the single, writing, "This is usually the point in a girl group's early career when they showcase their emotions with a piece of heart-tugging balladry, but don't go expecting that from Neon Jungle.

"[29] The song received a mixed review from Nick Reilly of Entertainmentwise, who felt he was "left a bit cold on an infectious, but instantly forgettable single.

[16] Daily Star journalist Jennifer Dunkerley described the video as "Crazy colours, big hair, flashing lights and a wild party like no other...

[42] The quartet did an exclusive stripped-down rendition of the track for 4Music, which the entertainment channel positively reviewed, saying that the performance showcased the group's talent and the "original energy" of the song.

The North Wales Daily Post stated that Neon Jungle "belted out" the song with "plenty of heavy bass and gritty attitude.