The ScotsmancriticFionaShepherdnoted that How Were We to Know "features more general musings on the nature of love and heartbreak, delivered with her usual MORlyrical wisdom, all just vague enough to apply universally." Ed Power from i noted that "there are moments on her latest album when she feels ready to take on the world. But epic emotions demand epic music. How Were We to Knowmisses its chance and too often settles for energy-sapping power balladry."