In a statement made by Eilish to The Fader through email, she wrote, "Vince Staples was my number 1 choice, so when we got him to hear it and he agreed to do it, it was incredible and the verse he did is so good.

[9] "&Burn" was released as a single on December 15, 2017, for digital download and streaming in various countries, through Darkroom and Interscope Records.

Insider's Callie Ahlgrim commented that "Watch" feels more "vulnerable" and "nostalgic", while "&Burn" sounds "powerful" and "resolute".

[16] The staff of NME explained that "the end product sees the pair feed off of each other's bolshy attitude as they trade verses in this hard-hitting reimagining of 'Watch', a restrained moment from 'Don't Smile at Me'".

[17] Nicole Almeida of Atwood Magazine dubbed the song as "stronger" and "bolder" than "Watch", but still "retain[s] the same vulnerability the original lyrics offer".

[18][19] To promote "&Burn", Eilish performed it live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with Staples in April 2019.