It was produced by Lanegan's long-time collaborator Alain Johannes.

Roughly half of the music on the record was written by UK-based Rob Marshall through e-mail exchanges with Lanegan, who would write lyrics subsequently.

[13] While retaining much of the tenebrous imagery of previous records, Gargoyle arguably marks a step toward somewhat a lighter sound, as noted by reviewer Kieron Tyler: "Everything expected is present and correct: the bottom-of-the-boots voice; lugubrious yet affecting melodies; an ominous mood; lyrics dwelling on life’s dark corners.

Even so, Gargoyle is an uplifting album, one allowing the sun to peak from behind a cloud.

"[14] All tracks are written by Mark Lanegan, Alain Johannes and Rob Marshall except where noted