The album's music blends 1970s FM radio inspiration with expansive sounds, described as soft rock influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell and the Carpenters, as well as chamber pop and baroque pop.

The opening track, "A Lot's Gonna Change," sets the overall theme of Titanic Rising, exploring the yearning for simpler childhood times and coping with change without succumbing to hopelessness. "Andromeda," inspired by the galaxy and its mythological namesake, addresses finding love amid distractions and past disappointments, featuring a LinnDrum. "Everyday" presents an upbeat melody and lyrics about the challenges of online dating. Climate change is a central theme, with the Titanic serving as a metaphor.

Mering described the title track, an instrumental, as an interlude between the album's first half, focusing on hope and love, and the second half, which delves into existential themes. "Movies" begins with synth arpeggios before transitioning to strings, reflecting Mering's disillusionment with films during her teenage years. "Picture Me Better" addresses the suicide of a friend during the album's creation, while the finale, "Nearer to Thee," references the final song played by the band on the RMS Titanic before it sank.