In Dream received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album has received a score of 66 on review aggregator website
Metacritic, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 11 reviews. Matt Collar of
AllMusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, saying that "Five albums into their career, Britain's post-punk stalwarts the Editors dig deep for a cohesive set of sophisticated, nuanced songs rife with a hard-won maturity, which still retain all of the intense emotionality of their debut." Graeme Marsh of
musicOMH also gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and said that "From the haunting atmospherics to the ‘80s soaked electronica, there is much to love about the album."
Under the Radar called the album "A darkly-tinged, arms-aloft surprise" and gave it 7.5/10. Andrew Trendell of
Gigwise described the album as "a record that's not only highly evolved, but as rich as it is infectious - packed with life, colour, poetry and ideas. This is the kind of accomplished work of sophisticated pop that deserves to be filed alongside the likes of
Depeche Mode and
Radiohead."
Mojo awarded the album an 8/10, saying that "the bulk of
In Dream is much darker, much no less alluring".
Uncut gave a mixed review, calling the album "Hard, and not necessarily rewarding, work".
Q also gave the album a mixed review, giving the album 2 out of 5 stars. ==Track listing==