Neilson was inspired by a rockabilly and country sound for the album, reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Wanda Jackson.

[1] Many of the songs in the album are inspired by Neilson's struggles in the music industry and gender inequality.

[2] Neilson chose the album's title to express the sound of rockabilly and artists on Sun Records, and to evoke a feeling that the songs would "pop and explode".

praised the album, feeling that the cut-down band (compared to her large-scale backing in Sassafrass!

[17] Jim Hynes called "You Were Mine" the album's stand-out track, describing it as "a cross between Screamin' Jay Hawkins and early Mavis with her explosive vocals".

[6] Rich Wilhelm of Pop Matters described Neilson as "the heiress apparent to legendary rockabilly/country queen Wanda Jackson".