"In 2013, Maura Johnston from "Vibe" called it an "ambitious classic", writing "FutureSex/LoveSounds" "musically propelled the pop&B genre with audio novellas, interlude twists, Timbaland's weirdo sound effects and that irresistible falsetto" and "embraced the hard/soft duality implied by the title to thrilling effect—and because of their mastery of that balancing act, "FutureSex/LoveSounds" would go on to influence, if not define, much of the pop music that came after it."