What's Eating Gilbert began in Los Angeles in 2009 as a solo project of New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert. The name is taken from Peter Hedges' book What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Despite Gilbert being busy with New Found Glory, What's Eating Gilbert released three EPs in 2010, following up with the Cheap Shots in 2012. According to the liner notes of Cheap Shots, What's Eating Gilbert consisted of Gilbert and Elgin James. A split release with Octaves followed a year later. In an interview with Alternative Press in September, What's Eating Gilbert consisted of Gilbert on vocals and guitar, Honor Nezzo on keyboard and vocals, Audelio Flores, Jr. of Set Your Goals on bass, and New Found Glory member Cyrus Bolooki on drums. In the same month, a music video was released for "Complaining", the aesthetic of which was "important to the introduction of this band". Also in September, What's Eating Gilbert went on a headlining tour with support from Tegan and Sara and Twin Forks. In October, the band supported Motion City Soundtrack and Bayside. An EP was released in 2014 consisting of cover songs.

That New Sound You're Looking For was recorded in January 2014. It was produced by Jon Howard and Gilbert. Hayley Williams of Paramore contributes vocals to "Wearing Your Ring".

On May 7, 2015 it was announced that Gilbert's project had signed to Hopeless and that the label would release Gilbert's debut album. According to Gilbert, Hopeless wished to released the album when Gilbert could tour his side project. The next day, the artwork was released. On June 2, "You're the Most" was released as single. A day later, a music video was released for the song. The video was directed by Gilbert. On July 10, That New Sound You're Looking For was released through Hopeless. The album was advertised as a "nostalgic tribute to music of the 1950s and '60s." After being asked why it took so long for the album to be released, Gilbert replied that "New Found Glory [...] had an action-packed last year and a half" and waited "until I had some time off." On the same day, a lyric video was released for "Follow Her Around". The album's title is a reference to Back to the Future. In July, Gilbert supported Anthony Raneri of Bayside alongside Laura Stevenson and Allison Weiss on the Sorry State of Mind Tour.

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