Engineered and mixed by Illuminati Hotties’ Sarah Tudzin, who co-produced with Speedy Ortiz, “Scabs” is the band's first since since 2018's "Bloodkeeper" and "DTMFA"/"Bigger Party" which were a part of Adult Swim's single series.

“Living in progressive cities and working in the arts, you meet peers doing tremendous organizing work. And then there are neighbours who signal their ‘good’ politics through yard signs alone,” says Dupuis. “I wrote ‘Scabs’ standing in line at the post office, overhearing customers berate a USPS employee. This was during a time of postal unions-opposed budget cuts and other major issues for mail handlers, which were widely reported on. People advertising their support for essential workers acted conversely when faced with personal inconvenience. The song became more widely about self-designated ethicists who don’t quibble about crossing a picket line for individual benefit.”

During Speedy Ortiz's hiatus, Dupuis has been busing releasing solo music under the moniker Sad13; collaborating with the likes of Lizzo, The New Pornographers, Ben Lee and Backxwash as well as running Carpark Records and the literary journal Wax Nine.