She collaborated with producers including Ariel Rechtshaid, Greg Kurstin, Jon Brion, Dev Hynes, and Blake Mills to achieve her desired sound.

Their efforts resulted in a primarily synth-pop record, although it differs from her earlier work in that it sees additional influences from acoustic, indie pop and new wave music.

"[11] "Red Lips" was co-written by Shirley Manson, and was compared to material recorded by her band Garbage;[14] Ferreira delivers "breathy" vocals with a "no-BS attitude" against a "distorted electric guitar gliding over battering drums".

[11] The fifth and final track "Everything Is Embarrassing" was described as "moving firmly into New Wave territory"[11] Ferreira's vocals were noted as being "crisp and smooth", while the inclusion of "propelling percussion [and] deep-tuned piano chords" generated comparisons to music from the 1980s.

[17] The clip sees Ferreira, dressed in underwear, applying lipstick on her entire face, and is interspersed with footage of its co-star, the spider "Toby the Tarantula", crawling across her body.

[17] Tara Aquino suggested that the visuals developed an increasingly risqué image for Ferreira, who responded by stating that her wardrobe was intended to complement the simplistic nature of the music video rather than an attempt to create sex appeal.

[24] It was premiered through Pitchfork on October 1, 2012;[25] the black-and-white clip sees Ferreira singing in various locations throughout the city, including a playground and the roof of the Capitol Records Building.

[28] Kevin Ritchie from Now appreciated the "diverse" nature of the record, commenting that the "lightness and unobtrusiveness" incorporated throughout suggested that Ferreira had yet to display "even more untapped potential".

[11] Writing for Consequence of Sound, Tony Hardy was also critical of the significant musical diversity incorporated throughout the extended play, sarcastically referring to it as being "interesting".