Matt and Kim: Sidewalks

Label: Fader Label

It's no insult to say that Matt and Kim are still playing like it's 2006 in Williamsburg. They just haven't let go of the infectious energy of that time -- or the hooks, or the beats. Sidewalks is the smiling duo's third album, and probably the first to come with expectations, since last year's Grand made an appearance on the Top 200 charts. They don't sound stressed, though: "Red Paint" blooms with spirit, a memorable synth melody winding it's way around Matt's impassioned vocal and Kim's steady-as-a-rock drumming. While most of the songs could loosely be described that way -- when your band has two people in it there's only so many things you can do in a song -- on Sidewalks the duo gets its collective head around the issues of growing up in a scene that celebrates perpetual youth. "Where You're Coming From" shows Matt and Kim's subtler side (even while it bounces along), and "Northeast" stands out as their slow-jam/slow-dance ballad (if you know any high schools looking for a prom theme...). (Bosco)