after touring in support of their fifth studio album "v" (2014) for over three years, maroon 5 began planning a follow-up to "v". after embarking on a short rescheduled headlining tour in north america in march 2017, the band recording new material for a sixth album at conway recording studios in los angeles, california. the band later posting teaser gifs and videos on their social media accounts of members in the studio in late march.