Russell Baillie of The New Zealand Herald gave the album five stars, praising its "big angry and/or anguished anthems, clearly venting about her life and career's ups and downs".[5]
Nick Ward of The Nelson Mail gave the album three-and-a-half stars, saying of it "Smith's voice has picked up a raspy edge that comes and goes, but she begins to loosen the restraints and show more melodic inventiveness".[7]
Humour and the Misfortune of Others debuted at number one on the RIANZ New Zealand Albums Chart, the week of its release. It follows Smith's previous album, 's number-one debut.[8]