[1] After signing with Sony Music Australia in 2014, the duo were given a cash advance and used it to buy back some of their songs from Warner Bros.

[2] Speaking to Kathy McCabe of news.com.au they said,"we really fought for "Cruel", "Did You Miss Me", "Mad Love", "Cold" and "Born Bob Dylan", songs that we were so emotionally attached to, we couldn't let go of.

[4][5] A snippet of "Cruel" first appeared in the beginning of the accompanying music video for "You Ruin Me", which was directed by Matt Sharp and Tapehead.

[6] In an interview with Stephanie Anderson of BuzzFeed, Jessica hinted at the snippet of the song (the title of which was not revealed) as being the next single.

[10] Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun praised the track saying it, "screams summer radio hit, complete with Police-style reggae stabs and an F-bomb for impact.

[18] On 30 October, The Veronicas performed "Cruel" live for the first time on Today Network's World Famous Rooftop.