Officially launched in 2016, the Night Game initially started out around three years earlier. Away from Boys Like Girls, Johnson had found success writing songs for other artists, including Jason Derulo, Avril Lavigne, and Hot Chelle Rae, to name a few. Hoping to expand his own creative palette, he began working with Austrian producer François Tetaz, who had previously worked with "Somebody That I Used to Know" singer Gotye. Johnson put together a touring band, and in 2017 the Night Game released its debut single, "The Outfield," which featured backing vocals from Gotye. In 2018, Johnson issued the eponymous full-length The Night Game, which included the single "The Outfield" as well as the track "Do You Think About Us?" featuring Caroline Polachek. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi