It consists of eight tracks, including the lead single "Case 143" and the Korean version of "Circus", originally from the band's Japanese EP of the same name.

[7] The EP's title is a portmanteau of "max" or "maximum" and "accident" or "incident",[8] likening the emotions and feelings of love to a massive, unexpected event.

Despite "powerful-energy" previous releases, the EP marked the first time Stray Kids used "love" as the main theme of their work,[14] conveying the feeling and relationships with other people and one's self.

[15][16] 3Racha—an in-house production team of Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—wrote and produced most songs on the EP alongside Tak and 1Take of Newtype, Kim Park Chella, Hong Ji-sang, Earattack, Chan's, Darm, and Versachoi (with whom the group has worked previously), as well as with Raphael of Producing Lab and Daviid and Yosia of 3scape for the first time.

[19] A lo-fi[18] R&B-pop song[20] featuring saxophone riffs,[18] "Chill" discusses a couple whose relationship has "cooled down" but unsuccessfully attempt to avoid a breakup as they do not want to hurt each other.

In the drill diss track[25] "3Racha", Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han convey their pride and ambition as the production team 3Racha, such as chart success and friendship in the face of fame.

[28] Performed by Seungmin and I.N, the "feel-good"[16] pop rock track[25] "Can't Stop" is about one's heart beating faster when around somebody they like[26][27] and has a "fresh, honest and heartwarming" teenage school vibe.

[33] Concluding on the rooftop, the trailer shows Hyunjin among the other members receiving a mysterious phone call before differently colored heart-shaped monsters, led by a giant pink one, fall from the sky in front of them, and end up at a crime scene.

[40] Stray Kids held the "Seoul Special (Unveil 11)" shows on September 17 and 18 at KSPO Dome as part of the Maniac World Tour.

[50][51] In the third, solo photos express the members posing with different heart-shaped objects, while the group sits on a floor scattered with red heart stickers.

[54][55][56] The same day as the release, Stray Kids uploaded the documentary video called Intro "Maxident" and held an online press conference in Seoul to introduce the EP.

[18] Rhian Daly of NME gave the EP four out of five stars, and wrote that it "explores romance deeply for the first time, but doesn't compromise Stray Kids' unique musical DNA in the process" and "should have no problem in furthering the reputation they've been building for themselves."

"[20] Billboard writer Jeff Benjamin described the tracks from the EP as not "gushy, catchy love songs, but quirky and unorthodox explorations into all things' connection.

But instead of fluffy feel-good love songs or emotional ballads, they opt for an eclectic mix of sounds", and praised "Give Me Your TMI" for doing "a good job blending the intense raps with the more melodic chorus.

Young gave Maxident four out of five stars, noting that it "features all the band's typical hallmarks, blending edgy raps with smooth harmonies, aggressive electro-production, and popping dance urgency.

[95] On November 17, JYP Entertainment reported that Maxident surpassed three million copies sold on the Circle Chart,[96] and Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) subsequently certified the EP as such next month.

[99] In the United States, Maxident opened at the number one spot of the Billboard 200 on the chart issue date of October 22, 2022, giving Stray Kids their second consecutive number-one album in the country after six months and three weeks of Oddinary, and the first and only act to do so that year.

[104] The entry of Maxident resulted in Stray Kids re-charting on the Artist 100 at number one for a second time, making them the third Korean act to top the chart for multiple weeks, after BTS and Blackpink.

On February 24, 2023, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reported that Maxident was the sixth best-selling album in 2022, alongside Oddinary, which was fourteenth.