However, they don’t feel out of place amongst all the talk of dancing and “kissing on the kitchen floor.” Their strength stems from the fact that they don’t losing the energy. They aren’t straight forward social commentary, but lyrically they definitely hedge into that territory. “Different Colors” and “Up 2 U” are the band’s more serious songs. Walk the Moon have always been encouraging and cheery with their music and Talking is Hard continues on that trend, but at times with a more political edge. The pounding, constantly changing percussion make it the track to work/workout to, but be warned you may break into dance instead of a run. The opening claps and energy of the track showcase the album’s motivating side. “Work This Body” is equally as feel good and uplifting. The song has this really positive, upbeat tone. He also admitted that the song is a “semi-embarrassing true story,” which makes this adorable little love song all the sweeter.

The band continues the throwback with “Sidekick.” In the band’s Spotify commentary for the album, Petricca aptly describes the “funky disco-vibes” and “bubbly synthesizers” of the song. The snapbacks and Say Anything reference make the music video equally as fun. The song has a great energy that makes you want to jam along, no matter how embarrassing your dance moves are.

Musically, Kevin Ray, the band’s bassist, wrote a wonderfully potent part for “Shut Up and Dance” and the synth gets a great solo halfway through. The boy-meets-girl storyline bares resemblance to “Anna Sun” off the band’s debut record Walk The Moon and proves that lyrically Walk the Moon can still be terribly sweet and charming. It indeed makes you want to shut up and dance. The album’s lead single “Shut Up and Dance” is equally as fun and bright.

The glittery guitar and overall underdog attitude make this one of the strongest tracks on the record. However, instead of taking TSwift’s route of making fun of exes and dressing up like hipsters, the men of Walk the Moon shout at cops, howl at the moon, rip holes in their shirts and get mud on their sneakers in this slower jam. “We Are The Kids” is like the synth-centered pop rock answer to Taylor Swift’s “22.” It has that same we-are-young-and-reckless vibe. At times the record seems fit for a ‘70 discotheque or ‘80 dancehall the band channels an older era (paired with what leadman Nicholas Petricca calls “cheese factor”) for songs like “We Are The Kids.” The band has continued with their goofy brand of synth-heavy pop songs, but for this their second full-length they have added a guitar-driven older edge. Like most Walk The Moon releases, the band’s newest album Talking Is Hard is easy to dance to. Band members Nicholas Petricca, Kevin Ray, Sean Waugaman and Eli Maiman

Sidekick walk the moon album