Professional ratings| Review scores |
|---|
| Source | Rating |
|---|
| 365 Days of Inspiring Media |   [2] |
| Alpha Omega News | A−[3] |
| CCM Magazine | [4] |
| The Christian Beat | 4.0/5[5] |
| Christian Music Review | 3.8/5[6] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |  [7] |
| New Release Today | [8] |
| Worship Leader | [9] |
Awarding the album four stars from CCM Magazine, Rebekah Bell states, "The band's pop-rock style is fresh, energetic, and compelling—filled with songs that fans will want to listen to time and again."[4] Marcus Hathcock, giving the album four and a half stars for New Release Today, writes, "throughout the 10 tracks of The Joy, all with passionate and musically excellent flair."[8]
Indicating in a four and a half star review at Worship Leader, Amanda Furbeck describes, "The Neverclaim is back with another heart, soul, and ear pleasing pop-rock album, The Joy."[9] Rating the album 3.8 out of five by Christian Music Review, Kelly Meade says, "The Joy is full of uplifting & encouraging songs that focus on the power of faith and the promises found in a relationship with our Savior."[6]
Joshua Andre, awarding the album four out of five stars at 365 Days of Inspiring Media, describes, "lyrically these 11 tracks are some of the most honest that I’ve heard from a sophomore album".[2] Giving the album two and a half stars from Jesus Freak Hideout, Christopher Smith opines, "When an album feels like a product of the system the way The Joy does, it's hard to see the value in its creation."[7]
Signaling in a 4.0 out of five review from The Christian Beat, Sarah Baylor replies, "The Neverclaim’s new album, The Joy, is an anthem, a cry for every believer in this broken world. Each song is beautifully crafted into praise and worship for our God, but they also encourage believers to stand up for their faith and not be afraid about it...Each chorus of every song is powerful, not just musically, but also lyrically."[5]
