Grand

Maturity is a good look for some bands, but Matt & Kim, at first glance, don't seem the type. Over the past four years, the Brooklyn-based duo made its name from a joyously amateurish EP, a cheerily sloppy debut full-length, and an energetic live show that left a string of sweaty, satisfied audiences in its wake. Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino took Mates of State's spare, co-ed, drum'n'keys set-up and bled it of anything mannered or pretty, leaving just raw, bleeting synthesize rs, shouty singing, and relentless drumming. So the last thing we'd expect from this spazzy synth-punk band is a slowed down, gussied-up sophomore effort, but Matt & Kim wear their newfound growth surprisingly well.

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