The band's Tracey Thorn told CMJ New Music Monthly her partner and bandmate Ben Watt had been buying guitars and wanted to make an electric-guitar-based album. "Love Not Money" songs cover subjects such as social stratification, sexism, and the sectarian conflict and terrorism in Northern Ireland. "Ugly Little Dreams" is dedicated to American actor Frances Farmer. Thorn said, "It's our most overtly politicised set of lyrics—some good, some a bit crass".