[6] The album was written entirely by Mitski, with production handled by Patrick Hyland, who also produced her previous record, Retired from Sad, New Career in Business (2013).

The projects, combined with completing her degree while working outside jobs to pay rent, left Mitski exhausted, a state which heavily influenced the creation of the album.

"[6] Consequence of Sound's Sasha Geffen said "love and death and violence all smash into each other throughout the record, which delicately balances on a thin line between polished, academic pop music and unhinged punk rock," adding: "Mitski's grip on melody, pacing, and composition is tight from years of practice, but the raw energy with which she applies it is what brings Make Out Creek to life.

"[4] Rolling Stone's Paula Mejia wrote, "Bury Me is edged with heavy riffs that at various times recall Black Sabbath and even Liz Phair.

"[3] Concluding the review for AllMusic, Marcy Donelson called the album an "auspicious if fatalistic label debut" and described it as "grungy, impulsive, and with memorably acerbic, vulnerable lyrics.