This will be Green Day's first album to be produced by renowned producer and Garbage member Butch Vig. This album follows 2004's critically acclaimed American Idiot. Regarding the pressure, Billie Joe Armstrong said, "We could take a sideways step or go back to our roots. We chose to move forward. It's about reflecting what's been happening the past three years and putting it to melody with some bold statements." The band has also stated that "This album is more.. religious," and it is influenced by Queen, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, The Beatles and The Clash.

21st Century Breakdown is divided into three acts: "Heroes and Cons," "Charlatans and Saints," and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades," and follows a young couple, Christian and Gloria, through the mess and promise of the century so far