The Midnight Life features guest appearances from Mack 10, El DeBarge, David Blake II, Bishop Lamont, Joi, Rob "Fonsksta" Bacon, Suga Free, Tay F 3rd Tweed Cadillac & Dom Kennedy.

[4] On September 24, 2014, DJ Quik released the album's first single, titled "Life Jacket", featuring frequent collaborator Suga Free and Dom Kennedy.

Fred Thomas of AllMusic said, "The album ... is a fun-loving affair, frequently switching styles from jazzy, sophisticated R&B workouts like "Pet Cemetery" to heavier trap and gangsta rap beats.

"[8] Jayson Greene of Pitchfork Media stated, "The enlivening Quik touch is everywhere: 25 years into his career, he is still discovering how 2 or 3 sounds can make you momentarily forget how rap songs usually go.

"[12] Darryl Robertson of XXL said, "The Midnight Life shows that Quik has a passion for making music, even if it necessarily doesn’t bless the ears of today’s hip-hop fans.