 An electropop song , " Misery " was written by Stefani , Justin Tranter , Julia Michaels , Mattias Larsson , and Robin Fredriksson ; production of the track was handled by Swedish songwriting duo Mattman & Robin . As described by Dee Lockett of Vulture , " Misery " contains " some synths , a funky bassline , and well @-@ placed hand claps to disguise the pain . " Leoni Cooper of NME stated that " Misery " has " future @-@ disco beats " , and " captures the highs and lows of being " gobsmacked in love , " using the metaphor that " a love is as irresistible as drugs . " Nicki Gostin , writing for the New York Daily News , questioned the song 's subject matter , stating " it 's not clear who she 's crooning about — ex Gavin Rossdale or new love Blake Shelton " ; Alexis Rhiannon of Bustle claimed that the song " give [ s ] an inside look to a painful past relationship . " 
