David Bazan grapples with the difficulties of modern faith like few others in indie rock, and his second album as Pedro the Lion finds him asking some tough questions. Over gently muted chords, he wonders about the futility of belief on "Letter from a Concerned Follower," before immediately following it up with a haunted cover of the traditional "Be Thou My Vision." He also reflects on earthbound concerns, as on "Criticism As Inspiration," which sees him examining his insecurity and temper atop sighing, slow-boiling guitars.