in the Wilderness was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 78, based on four reviews. AbsolutePunk staff member Craig Manning said that while McMahon "retreads melodies he’s used before on more than one occasion", there was no instance "when the familiarity of the proceedings detracts from the overall enjoyment of the record". He saw it as McMahon's "most consistent front-to-back set of songs" since Everything in Transit. Melodic writer Johan Wippsson wrote that per "usual, you get the piano-based pop with luxurious and very catchy melodies", adding that with the "slightly more electronic sound", he "takes the album to an extraordinary level". Ruby Niemann of The AU Review found the production to be "glossier and more radio-friendly, which sometimes removes a lot of the intensity and emotional awkwardness that was so enjoyable about McMahon's earlier projects". The reviewer felt he can "still write a hook" noting that "when McMahon tries to write a good pop song, he really does it". AllMusic reviewer James Christopher Monger said McMahon "taps into his more commercial sensibilities", creating "pop confections that are as effortlessly breezy and melodic as they are steeped in carefully constructed melodrama". PopMatters Colin McGuire said it was "drenched with so much of 1980s soft rock", helped by "warm, heavy synths and a gaggle of steady electronic kick drums". The Music writer Charmaine de Souza said McMahon's "piano mastery is in full-force throughout" the record, "perfectly complementing his brand of delicately phrased pop that’s introspective with just the right amount of naivety". He described it as a "promising debut" that was "laden with back-to-back radio-ready tracks." Sputnikmusic staff member SowingSeason saw it as "bursting at the seams with energetic melodies, enormous hooks, and optimistic lyrical topics." There was a "sense of rejuvenation, and it shows in everything from the jubilant piano notes to McMahon’s excited vocal delivery". Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness charted at number 21 on the US Billboard 200. It also reached number three on Independent Albums, number four on Alternative Albums, and number 11 on the Digital Albums charts. "Canyon Moon" charted at number 41 on Rock Digital Song Sales. "Cecilia and the Satellite" reached number 96 on the Hot 100, in addition to number four on Rock Airplay, number five on Alternative Airplay, number six on Alternative Digital Song Sales and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs,