[2] "At the Door" lacks drums and percussion[3][4] and primarily features Julian Casablancas' vocals accompanied by a digital guitar.

[5] It has been described as a synth-pop song by multiple writers[6][7] as well as a "stark change of pace" for the band by NME's Ella Kemp.

[8] In a review for the Chicago Tribune, Mark Kennedy wrote, "Casablancas knows he is a lost soul, but offers hope: "Use me like an oar/Get yourself to shore.

"[9] Caleb Campbell of Under the Radar described it as a "synth-led slow burn of a track" with a "heart wrenching vocal performance from Julian Casablancas".

The video's director and writer, Mike Burakoff, explains its meaning as: "There’s a feeling when you are growing up that you are just leaving for a second to go get something, that you’ll be right back.