Compared to previous releases, Don't Call Me features no overarching theme, and instead features songs that felt right for them, with Minho saying, "Some songs are quintessential Shinee songs, but there are also other songs that are things we've never tried before. They fit today's genres and musical mood." The album spans several genres, including pop, hip hop, EDM, R&B, and reggae, and was in the works for around one and a half years. SM Entertainment founder and executive producer Lee Soo-man worked closely with the group for the album's production and promotional appearances. Key viewed the album as a gift for fans for waiting for a long time for the group's return. Member Taemin felt the album's songs had a "connection" between Shinee's previous releases, sharing, "On this album there are a lot of different colours, which is what you expect from Shinee, but it's also a connected stream of content, with each member and style coming together at the end. You can see the connection between previous releases and now. And it will continue as our career does."
