Upon release, Evolve Or Be Extinct has received fairly positive feedback from the public and critics. Ash Houghton of SB.TV rounded up his review with: "All in all, Evolve Or Be Extinct is another strong piece of work from one of the most prolific, multi-talented artists the UK has to offer. Wiley consistently provides a body of work which encompasses his input on all levels, from production to vocals; his name is strewn throughout the album’s credits which, in turn, ensures nothing but the purest sound grime has to offer."5 Noel Gardner of BBC gave a satisfying review, saying: "A haphazard, sometimes ridiculous, but often impressively inventive new set. In fact, this feels like an album by, for and about himself. Most lyrics unapologetically address the life of Wiley; two baffling skits, in which he quarrels with a taxi driver and customs officer respectively, seem to play up to his hothead reputation. Evolve or Be Extinct will appeal largely to people already well aware of it, and who are looking for a full-length to rival his 2004 debut Treddin' on Thin Ice. This should go some way to satisfying them."6 Riky Bains of RWD Magazine gave Evolve of Be Extinct a positive review stating: "Wiley is moving in a new direction and throwing new sounds and innovative ideas at a tough audience; just like Charles Darwin. His work wasn’t fully accepted or appreciated till a decade later. Is this album ahead of its time?"7
All tracks are written by Richard Kylea Cowie
"Wiley Explains New Music On "Evolve Or Be Extinct," Immigration Issues". HipHopDX.com. 17 January 2012. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18330/title.wiley-explains-new-music-on-evolve-or-be-extinct-immigration-issues ↩
McInnes, Paul (12 January 2012). "Wiley: Evolve or Be Extinct". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 February 2012. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/12/wiley-evolve-extinct-review ↩
Harvell, Jess. "Wiley: Evolve or Be Extinct – Album Reviews – Pitchfork". Album Reviews. Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 February 2012. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16182-evolve-or-be-extinct/ ↩
Bains, Riky. "Online Review: Wiley – Evolve or Be Extinct". Album Reviews. RWD Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2012. https://archive.today/20130202155008/http://www.rwdmag.com/2012/01/online-review-wiley__-evolve-or-be-extinct/ ↩
"Wiley – Evolve or Be Extinct (Review)". SB.TV. Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120131194636/http://sbtv.co.uk/2012/01/wiley-evolve-or-be-extinct-review/ ↩
"Wiley Evolve or Be Extinct Review". BBC. Retrieved 9 January 2012. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/rg8r ↩
"Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20120122/7502/ ↩
"Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/20120122/115/ ↩
"Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20120122/131/ ↩