It is the third track and lead single from the band's debut studio album The Fool, and was released on September 21, 2010, on Rough Trade Records.

A limited edition double A-side single was released as part of the Record Store Day 2012.

Describing the origins of the song, bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg said "Undertow" developed from a bassline she and guitarist Theresa Wayman were working on.

Lindberg added that if "you listen to the songs back-to-back they sound nothing alike" but referred to "Undertow" as "a bit of an homage to Kurt [Cobain] and Nirvana.

"[1] A music video for "Undertow" was directed by Lindberg's sister and former Warpaint drummer Shannyn Sossamon.