Initially scheduled for release on June 12, 2020, the extended play was put out by Columbia and Sub Pop the following August 14, to allow more public attention to the George Floyd protests.

[8] In addition to the themes of a rough and hot American Southwest, Peck viewed this release as a bridge between Pony and his next full-length project, re-recording "Summertime" from Pony-era sessions for this EP.

Club staff listed this as one of five noteworthy releases of the week, with writer Cameron Scheetz saying, "Orville Peck's vocal muscle really shines through, staking out a place of his own among the legends that inspired him".

[18] Leonie Cooper of NME gave the album four out of five stars for Peck's diversity as a performer, with the "razzle-dazzle" of "Legends Never Die" and more somber and pensive tracks.

[13] Pitchfork Media's Cat Zhang gave a more mixed review, awarding a 6.7 out of 10 and praising the playfulness and depth of Peck's lyrics but noting that his stage persona is too shallow.