The music of Ugly Season was written for Perfume Genius and choreographer Kate Wallich's immersive dance piece, The Sun Still Burns Here. "It's the sound of dancefloor euphoria," said Pitchfork. "The color of lights flashing as you move through a crowd, the touch of skin damp and warm against everyone else's." Now the entirety of the project's original music can be heard in Ugly Season. The album was produced by Perfume Genius and Grammy-winning producer and long-time collaborator Blake Mills and was created in collaboration with Hadreas' long-time partner Alan Wyffels.