“Sincerity Is Scary” is a feel-good song that addresses one’s tendencies to put up a facade out of insecurity and anxiety, with the realization that this type of illusory behavior will tend to breed confusion and conflict in a relationship with others. It is a piece of social commentary on the postmodern obsession with irony and cynicism, where sincerity is often ridiculed.

The song begins with slow, heavy drums accompanied by soulful-sounding horns that lead into Matt Healy’s smooth vocals. The soothing backing of the band’s instruments and choral background seem to juxtapose Matty’s emotionally charged lyrics, which still come off as sounding carefree in the midst of such a smooth and mellow song.

Matty first made mention of the song’s title while discussing the topic of sincerity in a post-modern society with Zane Lowe during the Beats 1 premiere of the album’s second pre-released song “Love It If We Made It.”

“Sincerity Is Scary” is the third single on the album A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships.. The song premiered on the Beats 1 Radio Show on September 13, 2018, as Healy returned for another interview on Zane Lowe’s radio show.