[5] Adkins said that around 85–90% of the album's lyrics stem from this writing experiment[6] and that Sherman's Completely Untitled Film Still series and Hannah Starkey's Photographs 1997–2007 were key influences.

[5] When making demos for their next album, guitarist Tom Linton said they purposely wanted to take a more stripped down approach, compared to the heavily produced nature of Chase This Light.

[8] While on the anniversary tour, the band became reacquainted with Clarity producer Mark Trombino and decided to work with him once again for their forthcoming album.

[9] The band subsequently began recording tracks at their home studio and rehearsal space, Unit 2 in Tempe, Arizona.

[11] The strings for "Heart Is Hard to Find" and "Littlething" were recorded by Wesley Seidman at Capitol Studios, assisted by Paul Smith.

[16] Singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews provided guest vocals for five of the album's tracks, namely "Heart Is Hard to Find", "Movielike", "Coffee and Cigarettes", "Cut", and "Invented".

[11] Andrews subsequently joined the band on tour, with Adkins stating, "There's female vocals on most of our records, so it's nice to have that represented live.

[18][22] "Higher Devotion" is a dark disco track[19] with industrial guitar sounds,[23] synthesizers played by Doug Borrmann,[10] and Adkins channeling Prince.

[17][18] "Stop" is a ballad[23] that sees Adkins duetting with Rachel Haden;[19] the song dates back to 2006, when the band was writing material for Chase This Light.

[6] The track channels the band's punk roots, in the vein of Fugazi and Rites of Spring,[17] and came across as a rehash of Clarity song "Your New Aesthetic".

[23] Journalist Alex Rice felt that it evoked the sound of the band's second studio album Static Prevails (1996), namely with its lyrics in the vein of "Robot Factory", and Adkins's backing vocals recalling those heard in "Rockstar" and "Episode IV".

Adkins said the band thought that a "science fiction approach would be a great way to demonstrate breaking free of what may be expected from an individual".

Club was favorable in his review, writing that the "songs boast huge-sounding guitars, like “Evidence,” “Invented,” and “My Best Theory,” whose thick fuzz recalls Smashing Pumpkins.

In the end, Jimmy Eat World strikes a balance between its basics (big guitars and catchy sing-alongs) and the musical growth of the past 16 years.

"[20] BBC Music journalist Mike Haydock also praised the album, writing, "Jimmy Eat World have always been sentimental: they tug on the heart strings with yearning melodies that pound you into snivelling submission.

The acoustic guitars on opener "Heart Is Hard to Find" sound crisp and vital; "Coffee and Cigarettes"’ plain melody is driven forward by bringing the bass up high in the mix; and, best of all, "Evidence" broods menacingly before exploding into a glorious burst of distortion.

"[55] Joshua Khan of Blare magazine said that the album "proves age is simply a number that doesn't force a group to falter but instead reinvents nostalgic butterflies and shapes an acoustic ballad destined to be the next stand-in-the-rain love plea".

[56] Ben Patashnik of Rock Sound noted the "varnished" production, making it "hard to fall in love with until repeated listens unleash its true charms".

However, he also added, "‘Coffee And Cigarettes’ and the title track slowly uncurl themselves over the course of a few days and before you know it, it feels like Jimmy Eat World never went away.

"[52] Sputnikmusic staff writer Mike Stagno explained, "Invented reins in Jimmy Eat World after Chase This Light.

"[50] Spin magazine writer Mikael Wood said "even the amped-up standouts (like "Coffee and Cigarettes") are beginning to feel a bit by the numbers.

"[54] Jonathan Keefe of Slant magazine bemoaned its mastering, stating, "Unfortunately, Invented is yet another album to have lost the so-called loudness war.

Every element of the album, from the lead guitars right down to the female harmony vocals on the title track, is pitched to be as loud as everything else, and the result is suffocating.