The songs for the album were developed by the band while busking outside the National Theatre on London's South Bank.

[10] The artwork and design for the album was done by the drummer, Duncan Bellamy, who has a degree in fine art from Central Saint Martins.

All About Jazz wrote that it is "mellifluous, exuberant and jaunty, full of catchy tunes and strong hooks"[2] and Drowned in Sound called it "remarkably restrained for a debut record…melodies are carefully thought-out and arranged for the greatest dramatic effect".

MusicOMH said that "where the quartet succeed is in the atmosphere they steadily build up throughout the album, with each track also working on its own as a mini-suite of contrasting moods".

[5] The 405 called it "an incredibly diverse album…refreshing to hear such beautifully layered, complex sounds created with instruments alone",[1] and Contactmusic.com described it as "a finely constructed masterpiece…blending influence of contemporary classical and film composers (Philip Glass and Steve Reich et al) and world musical cultures".