Recorded in about a month's time, the album chronicles the two years since the release of Noname's debut mixtape Telefone, most notably her move from Chicago to Los Angeles and an intense, short-lived romantic relationship.

[7] Following the release of her debut mixtape Telefone, Noname embarked on a headlining tour, after which she moved from her native Chicago to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, Noname also participated in the local comedy scene, a community that influenced the humorous tone found on Room 25.

Noname paid for the entire album herself using money from touring and guest appearances on Chance the Rapper projects.

[12] The album's title is in reference to Noname's lifestyle while in Los Angeles, living out of different hotel rooms, and that she was 25 years old at the time.

Club, Dianca London Potts stated that "From beginning to end, Room 25 is a testimony to the power of telling your story and the hope that can be found in doing so without apology.

"[20] In the review for AllMusic, Paul Simpson claimed "Her complex lyrics are delivered with ease and confidence, and she's backed up by jazzy, sophisticated rhythms and occasional lush string arrangements.

"[19] Ural Garrett from HipHopDX said that the album "finely tunes the best assets in Noname's artistic toolset while digging further into her own head; anticipating where the rabbit hole journey goes becomes part of the enjoyment.

[5] Briana Younger of Pitchfork designated Room 25 as "Best New Music" and wrote that it is "a transcendent coming-of-age tale built around cosmic jazz and neo-soul, delivered by a woman deeply invested in her interiority and that of the world around her.

XLR8R's Sam Davis suggested Noname had yet to achieve her full potential: "If “Prayer Song” and “Blaxploitation” are anything to go by, she could yet become a great rapper.