With the release of their second studio album Hello Bastards in September 1995, Lifetime solidified their line-up as Ari Katz on vocals, Dan Yemin and Pete Martin on guitar, Dave Palaitis on bass, and Scott Golley on drums.

He said the lyrics tackled "deeply personal and emotional tinges" that made for a "raw and searing combination of uncompromising hardcore punk and smart, introspective writing".

[9] The album's opening track, "Turnpike Gates", starts with fast-tempo guitarwork and drum parts, before giving way to Katz's lyrics on lost love.

[13] The mid-tempo "25 Cent Giraffes" is followed by the ballad-like "Hey Catrine", and the hardcore punk song "Bringin' It Backwards"; an alternative version of the latter was previously released on the compilation The Tie That Binds (1996).

[12][6] The latter sees Katz talking about standing next to a girl at a basement, pondering on whether she would break his heart; an alternative version of the track was previously released on the compilation Anti-Matter (1996).

D'Angelo declared that Jersey's Best Dancers was a "triumphant burst of upbeat punk rock that makes it clear the band called it quits while they were still at the top of their game.

"[10] Pitchfork contributor Kevin Ruggeri wrote that Jersey's Best Dancers "portrays Lifetime at the height of their craft; a fitting swan song for a band that's been in a constant stage of evolution and progression since its inception.

"[5] Spectrum Culture's Nick Gregorio said the band "had perfected their sound" with Jersey's Best Dancers, finding a "balance between melody and intricacy, crafting chord progressions that were atypical, innovative and hellacious fun".