"Janitor of Lunacy" was composed as a tribute to her friend Brian Jones, founding member of the Rolling Stones, who had died the previous year.

However, it has received mainstream praise from critics in subsequent years with AllMusic and The New Rolling Stone Album Guide in particular providing a strong and positive reception.

[7] "Le petit chevalier" was covered live by Bjork during her Post tour in 1996 and also by Bat for Lashes in 2007 at the Glastonbury festival.

Hyde passed the remaining work to Throbbing Gristle members Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti to complete, which they did with the help of several guest vocalists including Marc Almond, Sasha Grey, Blixa Bargeld and Anohni.

It was accompanied by a screening of Philippe Garrel’s La cicatrice intérieure, "for which Desertshore was soundtrack and inspiration".