Lights' recording debut did not come in the form of a full album; rather, the Canadian synth pop singer (nee Valerie Poxleiter) released a self-titled EP first; the EP found a large amount of commercial success, spawning three singles from only six tracks, "Drive My Soul," "February Air," and "Ice." The critical praise and commercial success of the EP inspired Warner Bros. to allow Lights to expand on the EP and release a full-length album, which was released almost a year after the EP entitled The Listening.