And even if it’s just a step, it’s a damn good one. It’s a new step on the ladder towards the goal they’ve always been working to. Talking is Hard doesn’t exactly reach the heights of their debut, but it hits a different type of height. Although that worked with their self-titled, it would doom the band for failure if they kept with it throughout their career. Where the word maturity comes in is with their new found ability to not simply just put out a succession of dance pop surefire hits. That’s clear with backend standout “Spend Your $$$.” Most of the half enforces their 80s leaning pop sound that they’ve been work towards all along, but finally hit with this album. However, despite a few digressions toward other genres, the album always comes back to its dance-rock and glorious indie pop roots with songs like “Avalanche”, “Down in the Dumps”, and “Work this Body”, which anchor down the solid second half of the album. Where “Shut Up and Dance” and the entire album for that matter differs is its journey into other facets of rock like rock n’ roll and even hard rock, which is most prevalent in “Up 2 U.” It repeats the success that the band had with their indie hit “Anna Sun,” which had similar qualities. Take for example the clear standout of the record, lead single “Shut Up and Dance.” Its infectious twangy guitar melodies pushed together with an anthemic chorus makes for a song that you have to just… well, shut up and dance. Even if the song surrounding the chorus is subpar, you know that all those progressions lead into something great. Try not to shout along to any of them, it’ll pain you. What this album makes even more prevalent about Walk the Moon is they know how to write a fucking chorus. and as a producer for stars such as Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey, he delivers heartfelt anthems like 'I Wanna Get Better. The rock infused journey down the memory lane of 80s pop music, that’s not as straight forward as Bleachers’ Strange Desire, is clear nonetheless. Led by Grammy-winning producer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer/songwriter Jack Antonoff, Bleachers buoyant, grandly emotional sound draws from 80s pop and college rock. The album kicks off with their second single off the album, “Different Colors.” The single adroitly gives you a taste of what’s to come. Walk the Moon took that sentiment and threw it in our faces with the triumphant return that is Talking is Hard. So, when their second album was announced there was the overall feeling of excitement, but an underlying dark feeling of dread that we’d hit a sophomore slump. Every time I go back to the album I can’t fathom how absolutely catchy it is or how a band was able to hit a home run in their debut. It’s just an 11-song marathon of jam after danceable jam infused with glorious rock tropes and infectious pop melodies. I dare you to find me someone who didn’t at least like Walk the Moon’s self-titled debut album.

Walk the moon album 2014