The initial concept for Loud City Song arose out of the sessions for Holter's previous album, Ekstasis.

Holter decided to write a collection of songs based around the way such noise and interaction affects those living in cities.

[5] Fourth track and second single, "In the Green Wild" shows Holter's character learning to cope with the stresses of living within the city.

In an interview with Dummy, she clarified why she had changed her stance on its inclusion: "It wasn't something that I initially thought of but the reason it works is because there's a scene in Gigi where there are two old people reminiscing about a past relationship or affair they had together.

Holter has stated that she also chose to work with him due to his ability with handling EQ levels and balancing the mix between instrumentation and vocals.

Once writing was finished, she prepared the musicians by giving them "loose instructions, verbally instead of notated, so then that would leave them free to improvise a little bit, and that was something I'd never be able to do".

[7] Holter has publicly stated how the experience moulded her understanding of the process: "I was really used to working alone and felt really self-conscious, but then it blossomed and was amazing.

[9] Heather Phares of AllMusic stated, "Loud City Song is Holter's most polished work to date, and another example of how she upholds and redefines what it means to be an avant-garde singer/songwriter".

[20] Alex Robertson of Sputnikmusic stated, "This album is the sound of an excellent singer, songwriter, arranger, and, I'd argue, thinker translating those strengths into some of the most stirring music you'll hear this year.

[21] Robin Smith of PopMatters stated, "It's an impressive record to listen to—the compositions are even more beautiful than Ekstasis, even though they're often more fragmented—but it's also a frightening depiction of what it feels like to have a whole population making you up in its head".

[22] Lindsay Zoladz of Pitchfork stated, "Though it draws upon the distant past, Julia Holter's made a timeless people-watching soundtrack: an acutely felt ode to the mysteries of a million passersby, all the stars of their own silent musicals".

[17] Adam Kivel of Consequence stated, "Loud City Song is a sightseeing trip with a person fully able to portray the objective beauty of the sights, as well as her own take on them".

[23] Harriet Gibsone of The Guardian stated, "Barbara Lewis's soul classic "Hello Stranger" gets a chillout makeover, which doesn't quite work; but any faults are obliterated by the album's closer, "City Appearing"".