It is the last album the band has to release to fulfill their contractual obligation to Geffen Records. It has been confirmed that Jim O'Rourke will not take part in making the record. It was reported that some of the gear stolen in 1999 was surprisingly recovered and that it might be used for recording of the album. The album has been described by Thurston Moore as "a super song record" containing "rockers and ballads". The album's working titles were "Sonic Life" and "Do You Believe in Rapture?"
