Roots drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson first announced the album in an interview with Billboard in January, where he described the collaboration as "love at first sight." He explained that the artists bonded during Costello's three Late Night With Jimmy Fallon appearances, where the Roots serve as house band.

"The second time he came on, we surpassed the first one," added Questlove. "So by the third time, he was like, 'Let's stop messing around and do something together.'"

The collaborators have been keeping the album under wraps over the past few months, even holding some recording sessions during the night.