A pop, dance, dance-pop, disco, and neo-disco song, "Feather" is a post-breakup track which celebrates the freedom and relief one feels upon ending a relationship and shedding its weight.

Carpenter performed the song at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show and at the 2023 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

[4][5] She achieved her first Billboard Hot 100 chart entry with "Skin" (2021), perceived to be an answer song to Olivia Rodrigo's 2021 single "Drivers License" by critics.

[9][10] Shortly before embarking on the Emails I Can't Send Tour in September 2022, Carpenter recorded the song "Feather", which she wrote with Amy Allen and John Ryan.

[16][17] Carpenter's manager wanted to employ a "traditional pop single campaign" and waited for the song to gain popularity following its music video's release before sending it for airplay.

Chris Gehringer mastered "Feather" at Sterling Sound in New York City, and Josh Gudwin helmed mixing with assistance from Heidi Wang.

[21][26] Carpenter begins by describing a toxic relationship characterized by immaturity and inconsistency, illustrating the dynamic where her partner initially seems thrilled but then becomes distant and uncommitted when she attempts to make plans.

[21][30][31] Slate's Chris Molanphy described the song as "a neo-disco bop", and American Songwriter's Alex Hopper called it a "pop gem".

[21] Vaidya included "Feather" at number 57 in Rolling Stone India's list of the top songs of 2023 and believed it was tuneful, astutely personal, and sincere.

[30] "Feather" was Carpenter's first song to reach the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 21 on the chart issued for April 27, 2024.

The video was released the following day to coincide with Halloween, and Carpenter shared behind-the-scenes photographs of her posing with cast mates, showcasing her wardrobe, and others of her splattered with fake blood and in a crop-top.

[26][57] The video begins with shots of a pastel-colored coffin that reads "RIP bitch", neon crosses, and a gravestone etched with "He was just okay"[58][59] inside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Annunciation Parish church, following which Carpenter arrives outside in a bubblegum pink hearse.

[68] Clad in a short black tulle dress and veil,[69][70] she dances in front of the coffins and several religious items at the altar, instead of mourning their deaths.

[65][67] Critics believed the video was entertaining to watch on Halloween,[63][71] and Lexi Lane of Uproxx thought it gave Carpenter's fans everything they could have desired.

[71] Two days after the video's release, Robert J. Brennan, the Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn, issued a statement that he was "appalled" by what was filmed inside the church.

[69][72] The administrative duties of Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello, the priest who gave Carpenter's team the permission to shoot inside the church, were subsequently terminated.

[73][74] He stated that he had approved the filming because his online search about Carpenter did not reveal anything worrisome and he wanted to increase the church's appeal to youth.

Club, Emma Keates believed "the video rules" and the controversy contributed to Carpenter's "new, cool girl persona", also praising her response.

[85][86] Carpenter began by singing "Feather" with a black-and-white retro theme before transitioning into the latter song; Hopper believed she delivered "heavenly" and impeccable vocals alongside a playful demeanor and outstanding choreography.

[87] The following month, Carpenter released a live version of "Feather" for the Spotify Singles series, which People's Jack Irvin believed was elevated but stayed true to the original song.