The making of 2014's The Take Off and Landing of Everything saw Elbow take a new approach to writing and recording. Previously songs were mostly developed by the band as a whole, but here the individual members and sub-groups take the lead on several tracks. "Honey Sun" was written and recorded at home by guitarist Mark Potter, his brother Craig wrote the music for "Real Life (Angel)" and bassist Pete Turner built "Colour Fields" using apps on his iPad. The first track to be heard from the album, "Fly Boy Blue / Lunette" was developed by drummer Richard Jupp alongside Pete and Mark whilst both Guy and Craig were away from the studio.

The Take Off and Landing of Everything also features several guests including the Hallé Orchestra ("Manchester's oldest band" as Guy affectionately calls them) with Pete McPhail, Tim Barber, Bob Marsh and Kat Curlett adding brass to selected tracks and tour mate and long term friend Jimi Goodwin of Doves adding backing vocals on "New York Morning."

Despite the changes in approach musically and lyrically The Take Off and Landing of Everything contains many familiar elements for fans of the band. "Fly Boy Blue / Lunette" harks back to debut single "Newborn" in its step change melody and rhythmic shift mid song whilst "New York Morning" carries at its center the type of life affirming refrain that run through Elbow songs from "Scattered Black and Whites" from their debut to "Open Arms" from Build a Rocket Boys!