[1] The EP is the band's first release under the X Ambassadors name following their signing onto Interscope Records.

[2] Matt Collar of AllMusic stated, "Musically, X Ambassadors build a percussive mix of synthesizers, booming drums, and atmospheric guitar lines around vocalist Sam Harris' yearning, robust cry" while revealing "their love for mixing contemporary R&B inflections with a sweeping, '80s new wave sensibility".

[3] According to X Ambassadors frontman Sam Harris, the album is inspired by the "bizarre" and "dreary" town of Ithaca that is "rainy and cold for 80 percent of the time".

[4] Nadia Noir of KROQ-FM noted the "sly irreverence and naughty hip-hop style sexual references in some of the songs" on the album.

[3] In a very positive review, Robert Treves of Indie Current said the album "is packed full of triumphant, genre-blending tracks."