Music for Cars consists of five songs, written by Daniel, Healy, Hann and MacDonald. The band handled the EP's production while co-producing "Chocolate" with Crossey. Musically, it is categorised as an
electronic, ambient and
experimental record. Lauri Hiltunen of
PopMatters described
Music for Cars as a mixture of "cinematic soundscapes and a more traditional band format"; with the exception of "Chocolate", the remaining four tracks "take a far more atmospheric, electronic, and often even ambient approach". "Anobrain", an experimental-influenced ambient song with a cinematic tone and ethereal voices, opens
Music for Cars.
funk and
alt-rock song that incorporates sharp and bright guitar notes, rapid-fire vocal hooks and elements of
stadium rock. The track's title serves as a euphemism for marijuana; the lyrics detail smoking the drug in his hometown with friends, resulting in an encounter with the police. Containing a cinematic tone, "HNSCC" is an ambient interlude. ethereal voices, a reverb-heavy guitar, synth tones and elements of
shoegaze. The title is an abbreviation of
head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma, which caused the death of Healy's grandmother prior to the recording of
Music for Cars. Speaking about the track, Healy said it was impacted by "the fact that something you have no control over can really mess with the dynamics of people's lives". pop and
synth-pop The track is built upon a skittering instrumentation composed of synth claps, clattering syncopation, "angelic" vocal harmonies, pulsing rhythms,
cloud rap beats and
brostep bass
drops. The track's lyrics are written as a letter from a future-version of Healy; the singer confesses the guilt experienced from his suicidal ideations, while also addressing his role in the dissolution of his family, specifically the divorce of his parents. == Release and reception ==