According to Dave 1, “Personal Effects” was inspired by a flight attendant who commented “Please don’t forget your personal effects.” Regarding the album, the Chromeo half said  “Adult Contemporary is a meditation on modern, mature relationships, which means: If we gotta sing about curling irons, so be it.” 

Along with the single, the duo released a music video for “Personal Effects.” Directed by Spencer Ford, the storyline follows the group having an argument with a girl who eventually hires two private investigators to spy on them. However, at the end of the video, the trio have made up and the investigators’ services are no longer needed.