At
Metacritic, the album received an average score of 86 out of 100, based on 25 reviews, which indicates "universal acclaim". Maya Kalev of
Fact gave the album four out of five stars, saying "
Run the Jewels is savage and witty, rich in gritty truths and genuinely affecting wisdom. It may not be the best thing either artist has done, but fans of both will still find plenty to love." Philip Cosores of
Paste gave the album an 8.6 out of 10, saying "It’s powerful in both delivery and in effect, without being heavy-handed or sacrificing form. Both rappers take the opportunity to show their longtime supporters that they were right all these years, that they bet on the right horses. And to those bandwagoners jumping on just now, pretty sure you are welcome, too." Neil Z. Yeung of
AllMusic gave the album four out of five stars, saying "The introductory salvo from
rap superduo Run the Jewels is a fine example of a union that is so perfect one might wonder how the universe existed before it. The combination of Killer Mike's menacing
Hulk power and El-P's sneering quips and lively production make
Run the Jewels a thrilling experience. Everything about RTJ is hyperbolic excess -- both in attitude and sound -- stomping boot prints into the concrete and hurling innocent bystanders through brick walls." Nate Patrin of
Pitchfork gave the album an 8.5 out of 10, saying "Yeah, it's a fun album, and it's probably the most affable thing they've done so far together. But don't take that for a weakness. They don't yank chains-- they snatch them." Joe Gross of
Rolling Stone gave the album three and a half stars out of five, saying, "On this release, available as a free download, the vibe is somewhere between the coherence of an album and the casual flow of a mixtape. El-P's beats are typically dense and Mike's rhymes rough-and-tumble. Big Boi of
Outkast spits on "Banana Clipper" over dislocating synth stutter, and perennially underseen
De La Soul producer Prince Paul shows up for the rattling "Twin Hype Back," on which
Run the Jewels promise to "dance on your windpipes" and make it feel like a doctor's orders." ==Track listing==