At the suggestion of Costey, the band continued writing and recording, with TV on the Radio multi-instrumentalist Dave Sitek joining the band on bass guitar.[11] Sitek, however, has not joined the band on a permanent basis, with Farrell noting: "He's like a pretty girl that I'm sleeping with but don't have to marry."[11] Initially, both Navarro and Sitek split bass guitar duties during the writing and recording process.[12] Described as "a solidifying element to the line-up,"[14] drummer Stephen Perkins remarked that Sitek's involvement "opened up my eyes to a lot of new ideas as a drummer,"[14] and noted that "There is this feeling we can make something ambitious. There is this ambition we have in us to break ground again. We really want to, as artists, move forward. That's an exciting thing, just like in the old days. We want to capture that danger and excitement again, and it's worth taking our time to do that."[14] Navarro later stated, "it's strange to write with a guy who, by all accounts, is a member of the team, yet has very little investment in the project following the release. He worries only about what we are making; he doesn’t have to tour, answer questions in the press and make this his life for a while. That kind of perspective is both unique, invaluable and hard to come by. He only cares about the music and nothing more, he goes back to TV on the Radio when he finishes working with us."[15]

Perry Farrell recorded his vocal parts at his home studio, sending audio files, by email, to Navarro, Perkins and Sitek. Regarding this method, Farrell stated: "I am enjoying it. I'm not sure if it's because I've finally gotten old enough to calm down, and just let things kind of unfold or what. In the past, there was a lot more friction."[11]

During recording, former bassist Chris Chaney re-joined the band for its live performances, and subsequently began recording bass guitar parts, alongside Sitek, for the forthcoming album. In May 2011, Farrell commented on Chaney's involvement stating: "I have to keep [Chris] away from Queen, who want him and they're not gonna' get him unless we're not doing anything. Then they can have him. I'm getting him on the record and then he's gonna' come out with us for eight months."[4] According to Navarro, "There are a few moments on songs that I am playing bass parts, but overall the bass duties are split between Dave Sitek and Chris Chaney, both creative and talented players. Chaney will be touring with us when the tour to support the album begins. He is the only bassist that has recorded a full length album with us, and is truly a member of the Jane's Addiction family, besides Avery, especially on the road. We are certainly lucky to have him."[15]