[4] The album serves as a follow-up to the group's fifth studio album, Acceptance Speech (2013), and is the first release since the departure of guitarist Josh Benton, who joined as a session member in 2013 and left the following year.

On July 26, 2019, the band released an instrumental version of the album to streaming and digital download platforms.

The band debuted the song "Something New", the third track on Instant Gratification, live for the first time in December 2014 on the Rise Records Tour.

Instant Gratification received generally positive reviews from music critics.

[12] In another strong review, Steve Alcala of Absolutepunk said the album "feels like a strong return to form for a band that's well adjusted in its own sound and aura", while noting the many lineup changes the band has endured is evident in the music over its 10-year catalog.

This made it the band's best selling album, until the release of their follow up 'Mothership' which sold over 19,000 copies.