Ellis recorded the album in Eric Masse's East Nashville studio the Casino under the direction of producer Jacquire King.[4] Ellis has said The Lights from the Chemical Plant, inspired by his hometown Lake Jackson, Texas, is more "stylistically ambiguous" than his previous albums incorporating elements of R&B, bossa nova, fusion and free jazz.[5]
On June 30, 2014 NPR Music listed the track "Chemical Plant" as one of the 50 Favorite Songs Of 2014 (So Far) .[6]