Following the release of her second studio album The Deep Blue in early 2007, Hatherley had started writing material for its follow-up in August of that year.

[3] Hatherley said it did not receive as much press attention when compared to her debut studio album, Grey Will Fade (2004), and "some people didn’t get the fact it was quite diverse" stylistically.

[12][11] Alan Moulder mixed the majority of the songs at Assault and Battery 1 in London, except for "Firebird" (done by Smith) and "Wrong Notes" (done by Adem); they were assisted by Darren Lawson.

[9] She attempt to make a "vibrant, bright and optimistic record" that takes "action against the throwaway and bland X factor muzak you hear so much at the moment and daring to create long lasting, durable things of beauty".

"Straight Lines" is a riot grrrl song that sees Hatherley harken back to her teenage roots, echoing the vocal style of Karen O.

[27] AllMusic reviewer Jon O'Brien said New Worlds "continues to make her former band appear rather foolish, with ten tracks that cement her indie rock credentials while also establishing a more adventurous side thanks to its eclectic production".

"[13] BBC Music's Mike Diver saw it as her "most accomplished album yet" that was "bursting with brisling new-wave bluster, powerful sing-along friendly choruses and an apparently effortless conjuring of prickly electricity."

[29] The Skinny writer Gillian Watson noted that there was a "preoccupation with colour that lends the lyrics a vividity that's matched by the ten whipsmart pop songs which back them up".

[15] Zeth Lundy of The Boston Phoenix wrote that the album as "a wholly satisfying guitar-pop record, chock-a-block with ruthless hooks, [and] tasty riffage".

[28] musicOMH writer Andrew Brugess saw the album as a "gem", highlighting Hatherley's "sweet and often lilting voice" as a "perfect counterpoint for her brash and destructive guitar playing".

[18] The Quietus reviewer Jeremy Allen wrote that the songs come across as "more immediate" than those heard on her previous album, signalling out her guitar abilities.

[30] The Line of Best Fit's Andrew Grillo wrote that in spite of its "frustratingly fragmented nature", the album saw Hatherley "kicking back and having fun".