Critics thought the songs focused on love but Braxton clarified that the lyrics dealt with her attempts to start a solo music career.

[3][4] Braxton said that they "brought out [her] sound and story" and compared the collaboration to that between Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Janet Jackson.

[2][6][8] Kellman wrote that the songs revolve around "heartbreak, romance, lust, and perseverance",[2] while others felt that Braxton referenced problems within her marriage.

The following song, "Stay Sippin'", a duet with Raheem DeVaughn, who is the only featured artist on the standard edition of the album, revolves around whether the singer should love or leave her partner.

[6] On the ninth track "Passion", she flirts with a man, but questions if they have a future as a couple; Charles referred to the song's composition as "upbeat [and] bubbly".

The album's final track "Crash & Burn" focuses on "hav[ing] success in the fullness of time, and with the right intentions".

[9] eOne and Soul World released Crash & Burn as an audio CD and digital download on October 7, 2014,[9][10][11] Toni Braxton's birthday.

[9][10][12] Braxton released the album artwork and the track listing in September 2014, which Khayla of SoulBounce.com described as "fierce and edgy".

[13] Following the release of Crash & Burn, Braxton was criticized for being "past her prime for being a recording artist".

Phinesse Demps of The Baltimore Times responded positively to the album's production and commended Braxton for creating "a very adult sound".

[3] Praising the compositions as "undoubtedly contemporary and sleek", Andy Kellman wrote that the album contains a "decent assortment of adult-oriented R&B songs".

[8] On Twitter, Tamar panned the album for its use of Auto-Tune; she wrote: "Do the Grammys have a duet with auto tune category yet?