Album of the Year characterized the critical consensus as a 75 out of 100. For
Paste, Eric R. Danton gave
Expectations a seven out of 10, praising the emotional depth of the lyrics but criticizing formulaic songwriting and some lyrics that fall flat. Sam Sodomsky of
Pitchfork gave it the same rating, writing that it has strong
arrangements and stately
ballads. In
Exclaim!, Scott Roos gave it an eight out of 10 for truth-telling lyrics and a "first-rate" band.
American Songwriters Hal Horowitz scored
Expectations at four out of five for wise production that accentuates her lyrics, along with a balance of musical genres. Introducing Pruitt for a feature, Kelly McCartney of
No Depression, called the release "stunning" and continued, "As an artist’s opening statement, the album is bold and beautiful, impactful and entertaining. It’s an exercise in courage so exquisitely raw that Brown would surely be proud of it." Joseph Hudak of
Rolling Stone praised Pruitt's "nimble guitar playing" and "elastic voice".
NPR's Jewly Hight characterized the album with, "Pruitt's done that with such clarity of expression and disarming intimacy—
Expectations is aesthetically warmhearted even in its tensest moments of confrontation—that she's given her own family a greater understanding of her experience". ==Track listing==