[6] Frontman and lead singer Richard Patrick first discussed working on a new music as early as 2011, when he referred to plans of a two album project.

[8] Patrick's plan included avoiding signing to a major record label, in favor of releasing it independently, by mid-2012, under the title of Gurney and the Burning Books.

[9][10] As of March 2012, seven of the album's songs had been written, including the track "Take That Knife Out of My Back", which Patrick stated is very similar to "Hey Man, Nice Shot".

[11][13] However, Patrick announced that past members, drummer Mike Fineo and bassist Phil Buckman, would not be working with the band on this album, stating "It was time for a change for us.

[14] He also revealed that the touring band for promoting the album would include Buckman again on bass, alongside Jeff Friedl and Elias Mallin splitting drum duties.

[19] Patrick stated that he and Radke would typically write the raw ideas, and then Marlette would help them refine them into their finished form.

[20] Resentment of worldly issues also inspired lyrics, with Patrick being angered by Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, political discourse regarding President Barack Obama and the Tea Party movement, and an incident regarding his wife being almost run off the road by someone throwing trash at her car over a bumper sticker.

[21] Another source of inspiration both the lyrics and album title was Patrick's prior issues with alcoholism and excessive drug use.

"[20]Patrick changed the album title from Gurney to The Sun Comes Out Tonight after feeling so inspired by writing the lyrics of the respective song.

[31] The band announced that they would tour with Coal Chamber in March and April 2015, and release a new, live performance music video for the track "We Hate It When You Get What You Want".

[4] Alternative Nation praised the album for sounding "like the logical mature follow up to The Amalgamut" and that it "embodies the sonic spirit of early Filter.

52 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 8,522 in its first week, higher than the band's prior album, The Trouble With Angels, which debuted at no.