ɪn hɪz ɹˌɛtɹoʊspˈɛktɪv ɹᵻvjˈuː fɔːɹ ˈɔːl mjˈuːzɪk, ˈɛdɪɾɚ ɹˈɑːn wˈɪn ɹˈoʊt ðæt ˌɛsdˌʌbəljˌuːvˈiːz "dˈiːp, sˈɛnʃuːəl hˈɑːɹməniz, sˈʌmtaɪmz nˈɔːɾi lˈɪɹɪks ænd ɐɡɹˈɛsɪv stˈaɪl ɪmˈiːdɪətli stɹˈʌk ɐ ɹᵻspˈɑːnsɪv kˈɔːɹd, pɚtˈɪkjʊlɚli ɐmˌʌŋ mˈeɪl fˈænz.
In his retrospective review for AllMusic, editor Ron Wynn wrote that SWV's "deep, sensual harmonies, sometimes naughty lyrics and aggressive style immediately struck a responsive chord, particularly among male fans.