All tracks were recorded in the band's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky in a church gymnasium with producer Tucker Martine.

[5] Music site Antiquiet stated the main themes of Circuital deal with "growing older and wiser, but with a respect for past experiences."

On the origins of "Holdin' On to Black Metal," bassist Tom Blankenship stated to IFC that it deals with holding on to something that you loved as a child that helped you cope with growing up.

The songs "Wonderful" and "Outta My System" were originally written by Jim James for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem to perform in the 2011 film The Muppets and a subsequent tour,[6] but these were left unused after the executive who hired him was fired.

[7] Of the turn of events James said: "So now, twice, Muppet glory has been within my grasp...it's pretty heartbreaking, but it did propel us just to kick into high gear and finish our own record.

"[6] The album cover is a close-up shot of a Magic eye tube fitted onto vintage radio receivers from the 1930s.

[20] It was also named the 9th best album by Clash Magazine, the third best by Paste and KCRW music director as well as 6th on The Record Exchange's best of 2011 lists and the 11th best by Rolling Stone.

On the LP version of Circuital, the intro to "The Day Is Coming" varies slightly and seems a couple seconds longer than the other released formats.