Matt & Kim’s latest offering features their regular synth lines and beats mixed with a pinch of epic dance party, think more Presets and less Pnau, making for an album than is more atmospheric and feels larger than their previous ones.
Coming in at just over half-an-hour, the duo’s fourth album Lightning is, for the most part, a non-stop onslaught of cute synth hooks and fast beats.
It leads with the two singles, “Let’s Go” and “Now”. The first is akin to the Matt & Kim we know and love – catchy indie pop at its best. The second however, notes the biggest change in their sound; a move toward a more stadium orientated synth pop sound a la The Presets (and with a chorus remarkably similar to the duo’s recent single “Ghosts”).
The rest of the first half is equally fast-paced and unrelenting, and the ears aren’t given much time to catch up until “I Said”.
The record’s second half is more metered with an even distribution of house inspired progressions and more mellow tracks like “I Wonder”, the one track where Kim sings alone.
The only track that you could legitimately describe as slow, “10 Dollars I Found”, beautifully envelopes the album.
The dance duo we love to love treat us to an album packed with tunes to dance around your kitchen to, and despite the sometimes overwhelming pace, these songs will get stuck in your head. You have been warned.
