[14] In 2021, during production and script writing for the then-upcoming TV series High School, based on their 2019 memoir of the same name, Tegan and Sara entered the studio with producer John Congleton to record demos of "I Can't Grow Up" and "All I Wanted".

The songs were initially intended as standalone singles, but during the first day of recording with Congleton, the duo became inspired to pivot the one-off studio session into the creation of their tenth studio album.

[15][8] Before the album's release, part of the song "Faded Like a Feeling" was featured in the 2022 Hulu film Crush.

[10] On September 7, 2022, the duo appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, where they were interviewed about their TV show High School and the then-upcoming album, Crybaby.

[17] On October 27, 2022, Tegan and Sara were musical guests on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing the single "I Can't Grow Up" live.