The album's themes of love, loss, and longing are skillfully woven throughout the tracklist. Songs like "Like I Can" and "Midnight Train" demonstrate Smith's ability to craft infectious, pop-infused hooks, while tracks like "Lazaretto" and "Make It to Me" showcase their skill at crafting atmospheric, electronic-infused soundscapes.

While some critics initially found the songwriting "safe," Smith's vocal prowess was universally praised, leading to four Grammy Awards , including Best Pop Vocal Album.