According to the band's lead vocalist, guitarist and producer Chad I Ginsburg, "Head for a Breakdown" is a song "about taking things too far when you darn right know it won't end well but you do it anyway".

[1] Loudwire's Joe DiVita provided an overview of the song upon its release, outlining that "Unlike the two previous singles, "Head for a Breakdown" rests on the more somber side of the CKY sound, opening with some light acoustics, gradually working in a feature melody and thumping groove.

Flush with hooks, the song boasts a powerful verse and highly-memorable, sing-song chorus that seesaws between singer/guitarist Chad I Ginsburg's soulful delivery and a melody-driven passage.

"[2] Consequence of Sound's Ben Kaye claimed that "there's an undeniable melodic quality here that aligns the track more with stadium rock 'n roll than the band has ever been before".

[3] Metal Injection's Greg Kennelty highlighted the song as the best of the three released prior to the album, describing it as "a spacey stoner ballad at its absolute finest".