Several collaborators are credited for the record's production, including Andreas Schuller, Sebastian Jacome, Chrishan Prince, Erik Lidbom, and Gabriel Huiban; songs were developed during the first Romanian international songwriting camp FonoCamp in 2013.

Unlocked was released following an alleged physical altercation between Stan and her former manager Marcel Prodan, which led to a court case and a short hiatus in 2013.

[3] But the record's release was postponed following an alleged physical altercation with her manager Marcel Prodan, which led to Stan accusing him of multiple offenses in a court case.

[5][6] In late 2013 Stan began working with another team—including record producers and songwriters Alex Cotoi and Erik Lidbom—on her second studio album, Unlocked.

[7] Unlocked was released to Japanese digital outlets on 27 August 2014,[10] preceded by a preview of the album lasting eight minutes and 34 seconds uploaded onto YouTube.

[22] Khaled Mokhtar shot the official music video in Buftea, Romania, showing the singer playing tennis against herself in a futuristic setting.

[29] Its accompanying clip, shot by Mokhtar,[30] caused controversy for a scene in which the singer is seen wearing a white robe with masonic symbols inscribed on its back;[31][32] website Urban.ro called the visual "her most bizarre video ever.

[34] "We Wanna" — a bonus single available only on German digital editions of Unlocked,[35] and later included on Stan's third studio album Alesta (2016)[36] — peaked within the top 60 in Poland, Italy, Romania, and Slovakia,[37] and was certified Gold by the FIMI.

[38] Unlocked itself debuted at number 21 on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart with sales of 3,859 copies, eventually selling 17,045 units by January 2015.

[50] RnB Junk's review was more favorable, describing the album as a major evolution in Stan's style beyond straightforward dance songs, and recommending "Thanks for Leaving", "Unlocked", "Set Me Free" and "Give Me Your Everything" as the highlights of the record.

[51] In a retrospective review from 2019, the publication called the album "underrated"; writer Jan Bran noted that while Unlocked had its highs and lows, it is worthy to be listened to in full, advising readers not to snub it.