What setting or time of day does this record demand, and does it work outside that frame?

This feels like a late night album to me. Probably a solo, focused listen. I don't think this album would do well as mood music for a gathering or anything like that. It feels too intimate.

really good late night album/solo listen. i feel like if you play it elsewhere you’ll get flamed like charlie in perks of being a wallflower when he played “asleep” at the function

I agree that late night is best for this album. It's very atmospheric and moody and that really fits with the night time. It still sounds good during the day though.