The songs on Sidewalks reflect a refreshingly honest passion and wonder coming from Matt Johnson’s Big Apple-based lyrics while Kim Schifino helps cast out a net loaded with melodic hooks and infectious beats. “Block After Block” opens contrasting a playfully sweet catchiness with gritty textures – though not as raw sounding as their preceding albums, the production here is a bit more glossy, but not so much that it completely envelopes the duo’s salient sass. Kim’s drum tones sound more organic on “Red Paint” as they play against the grain of distorted synthesizer licks while Matt pours his heart out. “Where You’re Coming From” is another standout that opens with plucked strings under stuttered beats and an impassioned melodic approach that sounds influenced by '80s New Romantic acts. “Good for Great” is a feel-good tune with a near perfect sing-along ending.