Critics have described the album as having a more pop-infused sound than previous releases, which was the result of lead singer Tyler Connolly composing the majority of the record's music on the piano instead of the usual guitar.

Departing from the same recording and production team they had worked with for the past four albums, the band opted to collaborate with Swedish music producer, Martin Terefe, and spent seven weeks at Kensaltown Studios in London.

[1][2] The band has credited this shift to Connolly, the group's primary songwriter, acquiring and learning how to play the piano prior to the album's recording.

Connolly expressed feeling creatively exhausted, stating, "For some reason, [on] this album, I felt tapped on the guitar side.

"[11] Theory of a Deadman worked with the same recording and production team in Los Angeles for their previous four albums and felt they wanted something different for Wake Up Call.

[5][12] Back commented on the relaxed and "organic" atmosphere of Kensaltown and described the studio as an open room with the group recording their music while sitting on couches as opposed to being isolated in separate areas.

Terefe used minimal dubbing and preferred to abandon the pre-production of tracks—something the band would normally spend two to three weeks on—in order to leave room for creative freedom.

The song addresses the opioid epidemic that has affected the United States, with Connolly telling Billboard that he "really wanted to discuss how messed up America is" regarding prescription drugs.

[citation needed] The album's second single, "Straight Jacket", was released in January 2018,[19] and was accompanied by a music video on their official YouTube account in February 2018.

[20] Featuring staccato piano notes performed by Connolly, the song reached number 12 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart in May 2018.

[28] Über Rock criticized the album, stating, "With barely any trace of their established sound, Wake Up Call comes across as a desperate attempt to wear the clothes of pop music.

"[30] Haydon Benfield from Renowned for Sound was also critical of record, stating, "With Wake Up Call offering little to captivate the listener, it is difficult to image [sic] what appeal Theory of a Deadman use to draw their fans in.

"[29] The record was nominated for "Rock Album of the Year" at the 2018 Juno Awards, but lost to The Glorious Sons' Young Beauties and Fools.