The origin of the album was the LDS Church's 2015 decision[2] to issue controversial policy changes restricting membership of LGBTQ parents and their children.

[3]While Glenn approached the album as being a traditional rock exercise in expressing heartbreak, he overlay that thematic with a second lyrical concern regarding his Church's regressive work against queer people.

Glenn describes a key question guiding his lyrical exploration, leading him to ask: "How was this God that I felt like I had a relationship with -- how could he tell the leaders of the church to put out this new doctrine against gay people?

He spits out lyrics that reflect the self-loathing he felt upon hearing the ban on members of the LGBTQ community in the LDS Church last year.

"[11] Chris Gerard of Washington Blade stated that the album "is as electrifying and upbeat as anything Neon Trees might have produced and boasts the added poignancy of exploring Glenn literally losing his religion.