When a band announces that a book inspired its record, it’s cause for a slight pause. When a Princeton professor writes that book, the pause is a little longer. And when the book’s subject is no less than how long standing social systems began to break down, as well as how public and private identity and relationships began to shift in the late 20th century, well, then it may be cause for the full side eye. Add to that the fact that it’s the band’s second album, and you may throw up your hands before one note hits the speakers. Such is the setting for Cymbals’ sophomore album, The Age of Fracture (Tough Love Records), inspired by Daniel Rodgers’ book of the same name.

It’s natural and expected to think that a band would want to stretch their wings out, but the Cymbals’ debut, Unlearn, didn’t suggest they’d go this route. That record leaned on frantic energy a la Talking Heads and futzed around with some cheap electronics. It seemed the band would be more likely to opt for a get-down than a chin-stroking sit-down. Thankfully, on The Age of Fracture, things aren’t that drastic, but there are changes afoot. The spastic energy has been tamed into a sleeker, polished form, and the guitars have taken a back seat to gleaning, gurgling synths and 808 accents. While not a full 180, that’s certainly a massive leap.

Refreshingly, the new maturity and the seeming heady inspiration don’t overload or drag down the album. Any sort of thematic references are muted or at least not necessary to enjoy the record. And where Unlearn seemed, at points, that it could go off the rails at any moment, The Age of Fracture is relentlessly composed. Similarly, the result is much more layered and extended songs as contrasted with the more sparse production of the debut. Mileage may vary as some songs teeter on the edge of overstaying their welcome, with the longest song, “Like an Animal,” nearly nine minutes and a handful of others also push the running time. While not necessarily gratuitous, a touch of editing wouldn’t hurt and a few slightly different choices would have made for a tighter album. But ultimately those complaints are minor and Cymbals have made a solid follow-up.