In Rolling Waves

Auckland, New Zealand’s Naked and Famous relocated to Los Angeles to prove that their debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You, wasn’t a fluke. After finding themselves compared to everyone from MGMT to Paramore, The Naked and Famous expand their approach on In Rolling Waves. If the response to the album's first single—the excellent “Hearts Like Ours”—is any indication, the quartet has won the hearts and minds of everyone who loves an indelibly catchy tune. This one is led by the cotton-candy sweet vocals of keyboardist Alisa Xayalith, but fellow vocalist Thom Powers won't cede all control. The two duet with intent on the not-quite-a “Waltz” before Xayalith’s solo spot runs off with it. Heartbreak's on the tongue of the quieter moments (“The Mess,” “Grow Old”), but so are epic rock stances. “To Move with Purpose” clings closer to aggressive hard rock and alt-feedback than the dance floor–accommodating “I Kill Giants” and “What We Want.” The Naked and Famous are clearly dangerous, ready to expand their reach to wherever they think their audience is willing to go.