Matt Collar of AllMusic commented that Simple Forms is "less overtly bombastic than the group's previous work" and "[t]here's a tenderness to the arrangements that feels straightforward and uncluttered", concluding, "Ultimately, if there is a nuanced sophistication to the band's work on Simple Forms, it feels genuine and hard-won."[7]
Jaymz Clements of Rolling Stone Australia wrote, "At times, [...] it feels like the Naked and Famous are playing musical catch-up, as Simple Forms struggles to move beyond place-holder synth-pop like 'Water Beneath You'. But when Xayalith and former partner Thom Powers team up on the sparkling 'My Energy' and 'Last Forever', their taut, dynamic atmosphere shines."[9]
Cyclone Wehner of News.com.au felt that "[t]he trouble is that TNAF [...] tend to work to an anthemic formula. And no songs here are as memorable as the early 'Young Blood'."[8]
Track listing
All tracks are written by The Naked and Famous, except where noted. All tracks produced by The Naked and Famous and Thomas Powers, except where noted.
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Higher" (producers: The Naked and Famous, Powers; additional producer: Sombear)
3:50
2.
"The Water Beneath You"
3:52
3.
"My Energy" (producers: The Naked and Famous, Powers; additional producer: Sombear)
4:00
4.
"Last Forever"
4:13
5.
"Losing Our Control"
3:56
6.
"Backslide"
4:05
7.
"Laid Low" (writers: The Naked and Famous, Kamtin Mohager)
3:55
8.
"The Runners"
4:20
9.
"Falling"
3:51
10.
"Rotten"
4:21
Total length:
40:23
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Simple Forms.[10]
