They recorded Loses Control in April and May at Camp Street Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts with producers Sean Slade and Paul Q. Kolderie.

Loses Control is an indie rock, pop-punk and power pop record that used bigger and thicker guitar sounds, and Nanna double-tracking his voice.

It received a generally positive reaction from music critics, with some praising the guitar tones, and finding it a worthy follow-up to Everynight Fire Works.

Hey Mecedes released their debut album Everynight Fire Works in October 2001 through independent label Vagrant Records.

[1] It was promoted with over 200 shows, across the label-sponsored Vagrant America tour, and stints with Saves the Day, Jimmy Eat World and New End Original.

[2] The band announced the departure of guitarist Mark Dawursk in February 2002;[3] his role was temporarily filled by Sean O'Brien, who played with Nanna previously in Orwell.

[8] In February and March 2003, the band embarked on a headlining US tour with support from Armor for Sleep, Breaking Pangaea, Panic in Detroit,[9] and Aloha.

Loses Control was recorded in April and May 2003 at Camp Street Studios, also in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with producers Sean Slade and Paul Q.

[11] Loses Control has been described as an indie rock,[13][14] pop-punk and power pop release,[15] which shifted away from the group's earlier emo stylings.

[20] The power pop track "Playing Your Song"[14] was reminiscent of Smile,[13] and is followed by the New Romantic-indebted "Knowing When to Stop"[21] and the post-punk number "The Boy Destroyers".

[26] A split single with Favez was released through UK label Sound Fiction on November 19, featuring the Hey Mercedes tracks "Quality Revenge at Last" and "Warm Chords".

AllMusic reviewer Tim Sendra said the group "cashes in on the promise it exhibited on its previous records" with "12 streamlined, hooky pop songs that just happen to have loud guitars.

"[38] He wrote that Nanna "retains the distinct delivery" throughout his various guises, with a vocal effect that provides the "melodies [with] a very ethereal quality unique to this release.

"[13] Christine Klunk of PopMatters said it included "12 tracks of slickly put together rock" with the group having improved since their debut, "both lyrically and instrumentally".

[16] LAS Magazine reviewer Jake M. Rizy said it was "characterized by very crisp and slick production that makes it come off as planned and restrained", though considered it "a marked improvement" from their debut.

[21] Punknews.org staff member Scott Heisel said the release "just didn't sit right with me", saying Nanna's vocals came across as "too polished", and questioning the production choices.