The album was recorded in James Mercer's basement studio, Phil Ek's home in Seattle and in Oregon City with the veteran producer Joe Chiccarelli.

[1] Frustrated and in need of fresh objective feedback he sought Chiccarelli's advice and suggestions, before the producer eventually became involved in a professional capacity.

As reported in Rolling Stone magazine, it is a reference to band member James Mercer's "crippling insomnia".

[3] On January 9, 2007, iTunes accidentally put the album on sale two weeks before its official release, then removed the option to purchase a day later.

[10] Wincing the Night Away is The Shins' most musically diverse and experimental album yet, ranging from hip hop loops to psychedelic to Hawaiian folk to new wave and post-punk elements.

[citation needed] According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Wincing the Night Away is rated slightly lower on average than its predecessor, Chutes Too Narrow.

[23] More negative reviews came from Dusted magazine, which said "this is music that not only is mature enough to know that it can't change the world, but is content to not try",[24] while Village Voice said, "filler tunes like "Pam Berry" and "Black Wave" are a far cry from the tenacious stuff that made Chutes the subject of lavish hyperbole.