dʒˈoʊnz stˈeɪts ðɪ ˈælbəm wʌz hˈɛvili ˈɪnfluːənst baɪ ɐn ɪntˈɛns pˈɜːsənəl ɹᵻlˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp, hɪz bɹˈiːf ɹᵻloʊkˈeɪʃən tə lˌɑːs ˈændʒəlɪs, ænd fˈɪlm dᵻɹˈɛktɚ dˈeɪvɪd lˈɪntʃ.
Jones states the album was heavily influenced by an intense personal relationship, his brief relocation to Los Angeles, and film director David Lynch.