Why does this recursive function output an array of x, n number of times?

Why does this recursive function work?

let arr = []

function rep(x, n) {
  if (Math.sign(x) === -1) {
    return []
  }

  if (x < 1) {
    return 1
  } else {
    rep(x - 1, n)
  }
  arr.push(n)
  return arr
}

console.log(rep(5, 5))

I’m learning JS and about recursive functions. I made the above function to output an array of x, n number of times in an array. E.g. rep(2,5) would output [5,5], rep (3,3) would output [3,3,3] etc. But I don’t fully understand why it works.

Am I right in thinking that the last thing the function does is return the completed array? If so, why does it not return [] or 1 when x goes to -1? I think I’m confusing myself but I’d appreciate an clear explanation. Thanks

I created the above function and was not expecting it work. So, I made it but I don’t fully understand why it works.