Recorded in Bridgeport, Conn., far from the band's homeland, the Scottish threesome slugged out the 14 tracks in just two weeks with veteran producer Peter Katis, best known for his work with Interpol, The National and fellow countrymen and friends The Twilight Sad. Conceived and realized in far less time than its predecessor, the whirlwind process has resulted in an album that is equally as cohesive as it is immediate.

While the record retains much of the band's rough-edged charm, as evidenced on opening track "The Modern Leper" and the twangy "Old Old Fashioned," it is the band's newfound sonic muscle, which clearly stands out. Songs like "Fast Blood," "Keep Yourself Warm" and "My Backwards Walk," showcase the bigger side of the trio's sound - sweeping melodies, tinkling keys, cascading drums and a great use of space, ultimately convey the sadness of a lonely, frigid Scottish night. Lyrically, the band continues to deliver incisive social commentary, fervent relationship woes and existential thought. First single, "Head Rolls Off," begins with the protagonist exclaiming in his Scottish brogue: "Jesus is just a Spanish boy's name, how come one man got so much fame?/ To any me, it's pointless to anybody who doesn't have faith," keeping the band's outlook on faith and mortality intact.