Arm's was conceived in Montreal, we wrote the songs in a room with old NOFX and Insane Clown Posse posters on the wall.

[11] The musical style of Arm's Way represents a departure from the Graceland-inspired sound of debut album Return to the Sea.

Rebecca Raber of Pitchfork writes, "Gone are the guest rappers, the acoustic nuevo-country twang, and the sunny Afro-Caribbean flourishes ...

In their place are theatrical string arrangements, layers of silvery, minor-key guitars, and lots of gothy synthesizers.

"[5] Most lyrics include references to death and violence, themes which are shared with frontman Nick Thorburn's previous project The Unicorns.