Inspired by the late concert taper Mike Millard, producer-engineer Erik Flannigan mimicked Millard’s recording process to recreate the same sound quality for Juicy Sonic Magic. The project captured two of The National’s back-to-back performances at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California in September 2018. The band released a full statement and mini-documentary about the process.
Juicy Sonic Magic was initially released as a limited edition cassette box set for Record Store Day Black Friday on November 29, 2019, followed by its digital release on December 24, 2019.