"[5] As the album was being written, however, songs began to coalesce around a central character, Norm, who is revealed to be a stalker.

[6] Shauf has stated that in writing the album, he sought to leave more room for interpretation than his previous album; this decision was inspired by a misunderstanding when he didn't realize his computer screen had frozen for 10 minutes while watching Mulholland Drive.

[6] The album focuses on the story of Norm becoming obsessed with, and eventually kidnapping, an unnamed character.

'"[7] Critics have commented on the way in which the album's pleasant, mellow sound contrasts with the narrative,[6][9] which Shauf has described as "sinister".

[9][11] Nicholas Olson, a friend of Shauf's who is a writer, worked as a story editor on the album.