Chicago-based indie rockers Ratboys first came to prominence in the 2010s, mounting tours with bands like
Foxing and
Wild Pink, and releasing well-received albums like
GN (2017) and ''
Printer's Devil'' (2020). Steiner considered the album's lyrical content more directly specific than ever before: "A lot of the songs are more personal, more real, [and] more honest," she stated. Steiner wrote the title track about an experience her grandfather had at the height of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Unable to say goodbye to his ailing wife due to pandemic restrictions, he simply saw her through the
nursing home window. The song's
music video depicts a young couple finding romance amidst scenes set in a grassy field or at the
county fair. "Black Earth, WI" is an eight-minute overture with
roots rock overtones that was completed in two takes. while "Crossed That Line" was originally meant to soundtrack a friend's film about a fictional punk band. In support of the album, the band embarked on their first domestic headlining tour. ==Critical reception==