What Are You Going to Do with Your Life? was released on 16 April 1999 through London Records following the release of the first single from the album, "Rust", the previous month. One further single, "Get in the Car", followed the album's release. The album received mixed reviews from the music press, being described as both flawless and having no appeal. The album was not as popular with the public as earlier releases from Echo & the Bunnymen; the album peaked at number twenty-one on the UK Albums Chart.