BMG Rights Management and Minogue's company Darenote released it as the lead single from her fifteenth studio album Disco (2020), which was distributed digitally and physically on July 23, 2020.

British filmmaker Sophie Muller shot the music video for the single in London, England, and depicts Minogue riding through space on a golden horse sculpture while adhering to social distancing measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[2] During the tour, Minogue started writing new songs with longtime collaborators Ash Howes, Jonathan Green, and Richard "Biffco" Stannard early in the production process.

[3] During the lockdown, Minogue worked remotely from her London home, experimenting with various programmes and engineering tools such as Logic Pro and GarageBand.

[5] According to Minogue, collaborative efforts for the song "dropped from the sky" after experimenting with specific beats, with Howes, Green, and Stannard providing the demo vocals and recording them into a microphone.

Minogue provided additional engineering and vocal production on her home in London, while Duck Blackwell mixed the song.

"[16] Pitchfork contributor Katherine St. Asaph thought the song was the least "disco"-inspired on the album, writing that its progression has "no real chorus and almost no structure at all.

"[17] According to Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine, the song is a "midtempo synth-pop sleeper" similar to Minogue's previous lead singles "All the Lovers" and "Into the Blue."

[19] Rolling Stone editor Claire Shaffer echoed the track's impact during COVID-19, stating that it "feels pertinent for our quarantine days".

[20] Similarly, Katie Bain of Billboard wrote that the song sees Minogue "hitting the topical nail on the head," while Joshua Martin of MTV News described it as a "call for unity.

[16] Pitchfork editor Katherine St. Asaph called it one of the album's "strongest" tracks, praising the overall quality by writing "What's left is a luxuriant amount of space for Kylie to spiral higher, buoyed by rocket-exhaust sighs, airy choirs, and zero-irony affirmations.

"[17] Clash editor Lisa Wright said the track "bubbles along like a gleaming advert for an all-inclusive beach holiday," while The Guardian contributor Michael Cragg described it as a "heartfelt wallow of heightened emotions.

"[33] Although praising the song, Slant Magazine writer Saw Cinquemani felt it "works better as a momentary respite among Disco otherwise frenetic middle stretch.

[34] Variety editor Jem Aswad described "Say Something" as one of the "best disco songs in recent memory," with a "irresistible chorus," a "driving rhythm," and "perhaps unintentionally relevant lyrics.

"[35] Entertainment Weekly editor Joey Nolfi dubbed it a "mirrorball anthem" and described the song as "more than an ode to the lust for human connection in dark times, it's a poetic, surprisingly deep step forward" for Minogue.

[36] Kate Solomon of The Guardian described "Say Something" as a "quasi-disco bop with a slightly saccharine post-quarantine sentiment" that Minogue "carries perfectly".

Minogue's fishnet catsuit and black and white dress were designed by Ed Marler, while the crystal mesh bodysuit was created by Gucci.

[66] According to Billboard, the performance was filmed remotely and recorded on a BBC News television camera from the 1980s, giving it a "vintage VHS tape filter" aesthetic.