The album was produced by the band's lead guitarist Jonathan Pearce, and recorded in-house at his studio on Karangahape Road in Auckland; Elizabeth Stokes wrote all of the lyrics.

[1] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Stokes had a hard time articulating exactly what the album was about, mentioning "infatuation or something", "self-hiding" and "self-directed telling-offs".

[3] Larry Fitzmaurice of Pitchfork wrote that it was "one of the most impressive indie-rock debuts of the year ... tight, hook-filled songwriting filled with energy and attitude, paired with lyrics that cut to the bone and a sense of confidence that betrays the record's at-times slackened vibe.

"[7] At The Skinny, Hayley Scott wrote that "Stokes' songwriting focuses on existential themes and self-deprecation while negating the need for the kind of down-tempo musical styles that typically accompanies sadness... resulting in a perfect riposte to the kind of po-faced cynicism that’s typically associated with angst-y guitar pop.

"[8] Writing for PopMatters, Justin Cober-Lake said that "the driving pop-rock of the Beths should heat up speakers, with sugary melodies and energetic guitars making for an exciting debut".