Typically, a band follows up a breakthrough album like Weird Sister by going bigger, experimenting with bolder sounds and maybe becoming a little overindulgent in the process. Joanna Gruesome pleasantly went in the opposite direction, becoming even tighter and more deliberate. Peanut Butter shaves about seven minutes off its runtime compared to their debut, but they gain more focus and clarity. Early singles “Last Year” and “Honestly Do Yr Worst” made it seem like this would be a take-no-prisoners tour de melodic noise force, but it’s much more subdued, and ultimately more satisfying, than that. You can listen to the whole thing over on NPR.

Peanut Butter is out 5/19 via Slumberland.