The band's central trio of Paul Noonan, Dave Geraghty, and Dominic Phillips penned every song on the record. Leader Noonan said, "We started recording last November in a big, draughty, stately home called Ballycumber House, under the beady gaze of musty portraits of the Lords and Ladies of the estate from the 15th century. We wanted to make something different, something tight and coherent from start to finish. Where we've landed is a little bit electronic, a little bit Bacharach, a little bit New Orleans Funeral March."

Bell X1 recall Eno-era Talking Heads, Sigur Ros, and XTC on jagged, vintage synth-laden "Broken Umbrella," the syncopated "How Your Heart Is Wired," fuzzed out hard rocker "Breast Fed," the electrifying "The Great Defector," and gorgeous ballad "Light Catches Your Face."