Matt Pond PA, J Fernandez

MPP’s affective power-pop across 12 albums of emotive, feel-good indie rock resides at the intersection of angst and elation. Nostalgia peaked, the Philly-originated frontman announced that August’s Still Summer and subsequent promotion would swan song the New Yorkers. Though Pond moves on, the final album proves a fitting cap: contemplative, dreamy, and employing the singer’s melodic hopefulness. – Libby Webster