In August 2012, the band announced that touring keyboardist Martin "Dok" Doherty would no longer be performing with the band, stating "end of an era as our next two gigs will be Dok's last with the band. One of our best friends and one of the most talented people we know! [... Been a pleasure and a privilege to share the stage, be on the road have many a drunken night in foreign lands over the past five years with you, Dok." Later that month, Doherty's replacement was revealed to be Brendan Smith, previously of the bands Julia Thirteen and The Unwinding Hours. Regarding the band's line-up changes over the past six years, James Graham noted, "The good thing about the line up changes is that we all remain friends with each other and when someone has left it's been for a good reason and the right choice for them. We've lucked out with Johnny [Docherty and Brendan who are maniacs in the best possible way, but they are also brilliant musicians as were Dok and Craig and they all put the likes of me to shame." Doherty left the band to further pursue his electropop project Chvrches with former Aereogramme guitarist Iain Cook and singer Lauren Mayberry.