Recorded over a year and a half period across 2015 and 2016, the album, initially intended for release on 18 November 2016, was later delayed to 10 February 2017.

After the release of Blackfield IV and a brief tour in its support, Steven Wilson, co-founder of the group, who had already played his smallest role in the project yet, announced that he intended to leave the band altogether in 2014 to focus on his solo career.

[1] While this originally left the future of the band in question, throughout the 2015 and 2016, the band's social media accounts would release pictures of Wilson, co-founder Aviv Geffen, and music producer Alan Parsons in recording sessions in the studio.

[1] Wilson and Geffen shared vocals, guitars, and keyboard duties, while long-time drummer Tomer Z returned to play the drum parts.

[6] No reason was cited beyond "circumstances beyond the band's control", though the album itself was complete at the time of the delay announcement.