Modern Fiction (album)

Reception

AllMusic rated the album 4 out of 5 stars, with a critic describing it as a mission statement that builds on jangle pop while injecting personal lyrical and compositional perspectives. Exclaim! gave a 9 out of 10, noting the songs range from very good to sublime and that the duo have refined their sound into a flawless science. The Line of Best Fit rated it 7 out of 10, calling it an invigorating and intensely rewarding release that mixes happy and sad emotions with a consistent latent sense of melancholy.

No Ripcord scored it 8 out of 10, comparing the music to Georgie Best and encouraging listeners to let the addictive mechanical drum beats and effervescent melodies shake off bittersweet thoughts. Record Collector gave 3 out of 5 stars, stating the album is more than the sum of its parts for combining several decades-old points of reference with complex lyrics. Spill Magazine selected it as a pick, with a critic rating it 9 out of 10 and concluding that McGreevy and Lewis have the songwriting, singing, and instrumental touch to make such a sound work, resulting in excellent stuff.