Back with their third album, Sidewalks, indie rock favourites Matt & Kim please with their tried and true formula of shout-out choruses, heavy synths, and simple drumbeats.

The songs on Sidewalks are just as good as previous efforts. The album opens with “Block After Block,” a tune filled with huge synth chords, cymbal crashes, and Matt’s characteristic vocals—half-shouted, half-whined. The influence of veteran producer Ben Allen comes out most on “Cameras” with odd sampling choices, including tubas and a xylophone. It’s a good song that’s obviously been well engineered, but it ends up feeling almost out of place. Matt & Kim also try their hand at some mellow songs. The piano ballad “Northeast” is a light number about New England that works pretty well. However, these few deviations fail to move Matt & Kim away from their predictable use of similar effects and melodies.

Matt & Kim will always be a great band to see live because of their high energy and ear for melodies. But Kim’s drumming is messy and Matt tends to shout out the same line several times in a row louder and louder. But when it comes down to it, Sidewalks will always be a great album to put on if you’re looking for a good time.