"Straylight Run"s opening track, "The Perfect Ending", contains only John Nolan's vocals over pianos, alongside accompanying bells by Noon. "The Tension and the Terror" starts with the song's hook and minimalist vocals from John, before him and Michelle harmonize vocally on the chorus; later in the song, John plays a guitar solo. "Existentialism on Prom Night" escalates from a lone piano and vocal track to expansive chords and backing parts. John Nolan said the track is about being in love and "finally feeling optimistic about your future and looking forward to the rest of your life." "Another Word for Desperate" and "Mistakes We Knew We Were Making" were described as reminiscent of 1980s power ballads; the former incorporates a coda and violins at the end.