[4] Conceptually, Love + Fear is a double album that is composed of two segments with each one exploring psychologist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' theory that humans are only capable of experiencing the aforementioned two emotions.

[5] "Superstar" appears on the Love section of the album, which is devoted to songs with lyrics detailing positive thoughts and emotions.

[11] A promotional CD single, intended for radio airplay, was distributed throughout the Benelux region of Europe in 2017 by Atlantic Records and the Warner Music Group.

[15] Prior to the release of "Handmade Heaven" in February 2019, Marina revealed on Twitter that the song would have little to no indication of what the rest of Love + Fear would sound like.

[11] Idolator's Mike Wass compared the electro sound of "Superstar" to the songs on Marina's second studio album Electra Heart (2012).

[16] NME reviewer Douglas Greenwood called the track a "synth-driven pop ballad that could soundtrack a dozen sports cars careering off a cliff in a Bond film".

[17] Lake Schatz from Consequence of Sound described Marina's vocals on the track as "almost operatic" and noted the understated presence of a piano.

[19] Throughout the song's verses, her vocal range advances in the chord progression of B–F♯–G-A–F♯-G.[19] Instrumentation for the track is provided by Captain Cuts and de Jong, who contribute with keyboards.

"[8] Lauren Murphy from The Irish Times also called it a love song and cited the line, "So impossible to dream when you're far away from me" as evidence.

[21] Following an instrumental intro to the song, Marina begins the first verse by singing: "Before I met you, I pushed them all away / Soon as I kissed you, I wanted you to stay".

[16] Allison Stubblebine from Nylon also enjoyed the song and considered her favorite part to be the lyrics, "All of the days that we spend apart / My love is a planet revolving your heart".

[22] On the other hand, Peyton Thomas of Pitchfork called the same lyrics "sloppy" and compared its "incoherent" style to a technique first used by Swedish producer and songwriter Max Martin.

[26] Riana Buchman from WRBB was less impressed by the song, saying that "Superstar" and "Karma" sound like "drab copies of the originals" and ended up "clutter[ing]" Love + Fear (Acoustic).

[31][32] The video opens with Marina in a dimly lit room, sprawled out on the ground and her hair is arranged in patterns that replicate the shape of a heart symbol.