[2] After releasing a pair of 2020 albums at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (Saint Cloud and Sorceress, respectively), the two found themselves unable to tour and play shows.

The songs on the album were written separately, but both musicians encouraged one another in breaking away from their typical creative patterns—Williamson embraced new sonic sounds, while Crutchfield kept lyrics she may have revised.

Plains was intended as a one-off project; the duo undertook their only supporting tour of the album in 2022, playing across the U.S. alongside MJ Lenderman.

"[10] Laura Barton from the Guardian wrote that the pair "unite new and old country traditions to create something magical,"[8] while Hal Horowitz of American Songwriter viewed it as "too special", remarking, "you'll wonder why these women don’t want to commit to future projects.

"[7] NPR's Marissa Lorusso wrote: "Together, the two songwriters craft stories of heartbreak, empathy and self-knowledge, bolstered by a wry wisdom and rooted in their shared love of classic country sounds.