Matt Pond PA

Spring Fools EP

“Infectious” is a term that’s often overused in album reviews, its meaning diluted by the number of albums it’s meant to define. But Matt Pond PA’s new EP, led by singer/songwriter namesake Matt Pond, fulfills the true connotation of the word: The melodic hooks on each of the disc’s five tracks becoming increasingly compelling with each listen. Spring Foolsis a pause between the band’s last disc, 2010’s The Dark Leaves, and what will presumably become Pond’s ninth record later this year or early next. Where on past releases Pond and his rotating crew of musicians tended to walk the line between engaging indie rock and lackluster singer/songwriter fare, this EP culls down Pond’s writing to five nearly perfect tracks. Burgeoning opening track “Love To Get Used” and dulcet charmer “Lovers Always Win” borrow welcome vocal accompaniment from Ariel Abshire, her voice adding a depth to Pond’s already urgent croons. Acoustic pop number “Spring Fawn” is almost Shins-esque, while closer “Sugar Bush” finds an apt balance between Pond’s ability to craft a narrative within his lyrics and the musicians’ desire to embed palpable emotion within the sonic structure. It’s an EP you’ll want to put on repeat. Which is basically like saying it’s infectious.

Altitude http://www.altituderecords.com

“Love To Get Used”