Martin Woodside of AllMusic gave the album 4.5 stars out of 5, describing it as "a mellow, moody instrumental collection sleepy soul and down-tempo funk." He said, "The beats are crisp but light, and the vibe is extremely laid-back." Paul Cooper of Pitchfork gave the album an 8.2 out of 10, saying, "Fat Jon is a conscientious and gifted producer with a talent for creating tracks that work on multiplelevelssimultaneously. He said, "Wave Motion isn't an accessory or an alternative like so many instrumental albums; Wave Motion is a serious proposition and a statement not only of Fat Jon's studio abilities but also of his introspective aesthetic."