the lead single "not over you," is the result of his collaboration with ryan tedder. "i really felt strongly that it was a nice blend of what both of us kind of do musically," degraw said. tedder also contributed to the title track, "sweeter," which has a pop-funk kind of vibe. in "run every time," he sings about being unable to commit with someone who's ready to take it to the next level in their situation. the devoted love anthem "soldier," was described by degraw as a "really beautiful sentiment." radiation" is about making a late night call to the one person you probably shouldn't be calling, but dial anyway when the mood strikes. degraw told that songs like "radiation" and the title track "embrace some of what would either be considered primal or imperfect," and that "for a moment, it's not bad to feature reality versus romance on a record."