 "Circles" garnered mainly positive reviews from music critics. Andrew Hampp of Billboard was very positive, calling it "the biggest surprise on Lotus, and writing," 'Circles' is Aguilera at her most unapologetic and all the more delightful for it ". 4Music's Chris Younie wrote that," Aguilera is throwing tonnes of attitude and sass our way ". Digital Spy's Robert Cospey praised its lyrics, labelling it" one of their immediate favourites ". Caomhan Keane from the website entertainment.ie called it" fun and delicious ", while Entertainment Weekly critic Melissa Maerz called it a" sassy kiss-off ". Story Gilmore of Neon Limelight was very positive, commenting," As much as we love Xtina for her incredible voice, we also love her for her feisty personality. The tune is a brilliant mix of genres with a rockstar-worthy chorus ". Popjustice writer Same Hine enjoyed the track and said that he liked it" when Christina gets a bit wobbly and the bubblegum melody sounds oddly good with the lyrics ", although it wasn 't" her finest pop moment ". Mike Wass from Idolator wrote that the song" sounds like fluffiest Nine Inch Nails song ever recorded ", also commenting it as" a total trainwreck, but there's something amusing about Xtina putting her haters in their place ".
