[1][2] The band stated that coronavirus restrictions in 2020 and 2021 posed a major barrier to the duo's songwriting as the two were unable to get together, and that several songs reflect the melancholy of that period.

"News to Nietzsche" was the last song written for the album; it was described by duo member Craig Reid as "just a collection of phrases, it isn't actually about anything".

Nevertheless, the song charts a path to the end of the world and makes reference to DC Comics' 2021 depiction of Superman's son (which Reid believed to be Superman himself) kissing another male, and to identity politics ("you see those wee allotments; where they grow new pronouns"); on this aspect of the song Craig Reid stated "pronouns – it's a thing now, isn't it?

[2] The opening title track "Dentures Out" was described by Buzz Magazines John-Paul Davies as "melodic and witty" and features guitar riffs, performed by the Manics' James Dean Bradfield, that has been compared to the style of Johnny Marr of The Smiths.

[4][7] "The World That Was" features riffs reminiscent of The Rolling Stones, while "The Recent Past" was described by Mojo as a "glam-stomp" and a "winsome indie bounce" by The Irish Times.

Cameron compared the album's focus on Britain's decline to past works including Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK" (1977) and The Smiths' The Queen is Dead (1986).