Opting to re-establish her music career, she began planning the project in 2011, shortly after her appearance in the movie Burlesque and the conclusion of her residency show at Caesars Palace.
The album also features additional vocals and songwriting duties from several new partners, including singers Pink and Jake Shears.
The album received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, and was a success commercially, debuting and peaking at number three on the U.S.
It charted within the top ten in Canada, Germany, Russia, Scotland, the UK, and the US as well as moderately throughout several other international territories.
"Woman's World" was released as the lead single from Closer to the Truth on June 18, 2013, in the United States and Canada, and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs.
She garnered widespread media attention when declined the invitation to perform at the 2014 Winter Olympics because of Russia's anti-LGBT sentiments.
[10][11] Cher collaborated with Diane Warren, Timbaland, Mark Taylor (who produced her 1998 hit, "Believe") and Kuk Harrell in putting the album together.
[12][14] Originally intended for the soundtrack of the 1994 film Interview with the Vampire, it was recorded by Eikhard for her 2005 album Pop, and was produced for Closer to the Truth by Mark Taylor.
According to critics reactions following an exclusive listening party on August 1, 2013, Closer to the Truth is "a healthy mix between punchy, uptempo dance tracks and big, emotional balladry",[21] while the first half is "stacked with dance-floor anthems", and the latter features "mid-tempo songs and slower numbers, where the lyrics and melodies are highlighted".
[22] Closer to the Truth was promoted a few times for its North America release of September 24, 2013, and in Europe for its worldwide unveiling a week later.
[24] Cher performed it on the season finale of, The Voice; at New York City's gay pride event, Dance on the Pier; and at Macy's 4th of July spectacular.
[26] The second single, "I Hope You Find It", premiered on September 23, 2013, during Cher's Today Show concert, where she also performed "Woman's World" and "Believe".
[37] "Sirens" was included in the digitally-released album Songs for the Philippines, a fund-raising project for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the country.
On March 14, 2014, Tracy Young's "Ferosh Reconstruction Remix" of "I Walk Alone" premiered on Billboard magazine's official website, being serviced to dance clubs and DJs the following week.
[37] The Dressed to Kill Tour in support of Closer to the Truth, which launched on March 22, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona, was officially announced on September 23, 2013.
[41] At USA Today, Jerry Shriver told that the release was "huge fun, lyrically substantive (as these things go) and emotionally wide-ranging, and it appeals beyond her fan base.
"[51] Jim Farber of New York Daily News wrote that "The material isn't quite so individual", yet noted that "At root, the new disc pleases by this sole measure: It's deeply, madly Cher.
"[52] At So So Gay, Ed Brody highlighted that the release was "anything but a meek return to the spotlight for one of pop's most enduring and resilient emissaries", and proclaimed this was "a fantastically strong renaissance album.
"[44] At The Boston Globe, Michael Andor Brodeur gave a mixed review, when he highlighted that the album was "presumably designed for the drive home from the club, seems to insist she’s more than a remix ingredient or Auto-tune fodder.
"[54] In the United States, Closer to the Truth sold 63,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, becoming Cher's highest-charting solo album.