Girls & Peace is the first release by all the members since their third Korean studio album "The Boys" (2011), after the group entered a semi-hiatus to pursue solo activities in South Korea.

Continuing the electro-influenced sound from their first Japanese album, Girls & Peace features a wide range of contribution from producers, including long-time collaborator, Kenzie, as well as multiple new producers such as Miles Walker, Deekay and Dapo Torimiro.

The group promoted the album and its singles through various Japanese music and variety shows including Hey!

[2] In August 2012, Nayutawave Records' parent company Universal Music reported its quarterly earnings and revealed the group to be one of the artists expected to increase revenue for the second half of 2012.

[7] The Japanese newspaper Sankei Sports was the first to reveal concept photos for the album, which featured the group as retro-inspired flight attendants.

[10] The album was also released under a Deluxe First Press Limited Edition, which comes with a make-up case, traveler's notebook (with sticker), a set of nine solo member posters (folded), a deluxe edition 40-page photo book, as well as a bonus DVD containing seven videos to "Paparazzi", "Oh!

[12] Girls' Generation performed with fellow SMTown acts at the Tokyo Dome to two sold out dates of 100,000 people on August 4 and 5, which were later broadcast that October.

[14] Promotion for the single continued on Nihon TV's "Music Lovers", where the group recorded a performance on September 25 for the show that was broadcast on October 8, 2012.

via a "Special Online Program" broadcast on three Japanese music websites across three consecutive nights; September 25, 26 and 27.

Dates were announced in September, and the tour was expected to play to fourteen crowds across six cities, including a six night stint at the Saitama Super Arena.

[22] Takuro Ueno from Rolling Stone Japan gave Girls & Peace 3.5 stars out of 5, who complimented the record's catchy production as well as the vocals of the group members.

He added, "When they divert from the formula, it's mostly to make a bid for 2NE1's tough-girl R&B crown", "just without the sass or bravura production flourishes that might've made it even semi-convincing.

"[24] Commercially, Girls & Peace reached number two on Oricon's Daily Album Chart, selling 46,031 copies, only beaten by veteran Japanese band Mr. Children.

"Girls & Peace" has been certified Platinum by the RIAJ, denoting 250,000 copies sent to Japanese retailers.

provided the group with another number one single on the Japan Hot 100, as well as the Oricon Weekly Chart.