 Although Ne-Yo has claimed that he wanted to "take a different direction" on the album by not making R&B sounds, however, according to "Billboard" magazine, "it seems he still has a heavy—yet welcome—case of the (rhythm and) blues on the finished product".The scene in the background for the cover was shot at the million mansion, known as Pink Palace, in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, Georgia.The first single, "Closer", was released on April 15.