The recording process started in 2008, after Taylor Momsen met producer Kato Khandwala and his partner, songwriter Ben Phillips.

The official music video, directed by Meiert Avis, was postponed due to legal issues involving censorship, but premiered on September 15, 2010, on iTunes and Vevo.

"[11] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly opined that the album is "clearly built from the doll parts of [the] grunge goddesses [of the 1990s]—a sometimes too-slick conceit that Momsen's thousand-Marlboro growl still manages to sell surprisingly well.

"[7] Virgin Media's Ian Gittins noted that the album is "sparky and vivacious enough to hint that Ms Momsen, should she so wish, may even be able to give up the day job.

"[10] IGN's Chad Grischow expressed, "Despite some lyrical clumsiness and overbearing production, there is a lot to like about The Pretty Reckless on their debut; enough to leave you hoping they work out the kinks on their sophomore set.

[15] All tracks are written by Taylor Momsen, Ben Phillips, and Kato KhandwalaCredits adapted from the liner notes of Light Me Up.