America, Location 12

The band began working on the album nearly two years before its release.[10] Before recording, Chad Urmston told the other two members of the band that he wanted to be the "captain" for the upcoming album, a proposal they readily accepted.[11] He had retreated to a cottage for a winter and wrote 25 to 30 songs,[12] which differed from their previous material so significantly that a manager asked Urmston whether he disliked their old songs.[13] The songs' material concerns "veterans coming home, childhood memories, [and] being a parent."[14]

The band recorded the album in Panoramic Studios at Stinson Beach, California, which was built in the 1960s and features vintage analogue gear.[15] The album was produced by John Dragonetti of The Submarines and Mike Sawitzke of The Eels, and was mastered by Dave Cooley.[16]

A short series of videos was recorded with OurVinyl to document the making of the album.[17] Much of the focus was on the improvement in the bandmates' interpersonal relations compared with their breakup in 2004.[18]

The album was announced in February 2017 along with tour dates.[19] Between the announcement and the release, the album was made available for pre-order with various rewards, including merchandise, concert tickets,[20] and Skype interviews and pick-up basketball with band members.[21][22]

In March, three months before the album's release, Pete Heimbold announced on the band's public Facebook page that he was taking a leave of absence from the band, including from the tour dates, as he was battling chronic depression.[23] Guest musicians have been present at live performances and on tour.[24]

Five songs were released in advance on YouTube between the announcement and the release,[25] as well as live acoustic performances.[26] This resulted in other artists covering songs even before the album's release, something the band encouraged.[27] On the day of the album's release, the band uploaded the full album to be streamed for free.[10]

"Only the Wild Ones", the first single and the first pre-released track, reached No. 9 on Billboard's AAA chart,[28] marking the band's highest position to date on that chart and their first top 20 track on the radio.[16]