The leading track, "Song for Clay (Disappear Here)", was inspired by 'Less Than Zero', a novel by Bret Easton Ellis which depicts excessive hedonism and its effects on individuals. The song title references the protagonist Clay and a billboard in the book which displays the phrase "Disappear Here", while the action is relocated to Les Trois Garçons restaurant in Shoreditch, East London. "Waiting for the 7.18" provides an escapist counterpoint by mentioning a trip to Brighton following disillusionment with working life in the capital. The fifth song on "A Weekend in the City", "Uniform", references London again and criticises the youth subculture in the area. It is directly inspired by Douglas Rushkoff's "Merchants of Cool" documentary, which details the corporate exploitation of popular culture by advertisement companies.