Seattle – British quintet Toy’s sophomore album, Join the Dots, starts off in space… deep space. Opening track, “Conductor” has that sci-fi vibe that would lead anyone to believe they’re in for an album of post-rock ballads. The exclusive dominance of this sound, however, is only a passing introduction. It does remain a constant backdrop for the album.

As we head on from the introductory track, “You Won’t Be the Same” sounds like the more garage-twanged sound that we would expect out of Toy. There is still a strong undercurrent of hypnotic post-rock but Tom Dougall’s vocals disallow any genre exclusivity.  There’s an obvious production in his voice that’s been artfully (if artificially) manufactured, but the result is still oddly lo-fi. I attribute this to the heaviness and dominance of the bass. Particularly in title track, “Join the Dots,” bassist Maxim Barron is allowed to be at the forefront of the band’s sound even if it’s just with a droning one note line. The result is some kind of industrial sound that screams of warehouse production. Also, sometimes I think I hear Theremin (but I could be wrong).

“To a Death Unknown” is the first track in the order of the album that throws Toy’s Britishness in your face. It’s got hints of the British revival that, at last, reminds us that this can be a band for the London pubs.  For this reason, “To a Death Unknown” is an easy album highlight. From here on out, however, it’s as if the band sheds some of that spacey sound and reverts to its more country-themed rocking (not as in American southern country – as in British country pride). This album is definitely a step into a more diverse and thoughtful realm than the band has yet revealed. It’s a welcome progression, even if individual tracks are slightly less “catchy” that those on debut self-titled album.

Join the Dots is a very long album. There might be only 11 tracks, but with the shortest song clocking in at just over four minutes (and there being more than one song over seven minute in length) listening to this album all the way through is a real commitment of your time. It is, however, a commitment well worth making.  The diversity of sound can keep you interested thought and, in fact, I’ve never reveled so much in a lack of comprehension.

Join the Dots is available via Heavenly Records on December 9 and you can check out the band’s upcoming tour dates here.