Matchy Matchy

The Ballet’s new album, Matchy Matchy, is a return to the upbeat tenor of the band’s first two albums. While inspired by Goldberg’s experience navigating an open relationship with his boyfriend of 14 years, Matchy Matchy is not straight forwardly autobiographical; Goldberg writes from his experience, while also fantasizing about the perspective of his objects of desire, leaving ambiguous which is which. He is generally less melancholic than on I Blame Society, and fans will notice a return to earlier themes (Looking tackles Grindr, as Personal did Gaydar in 2006). Goldberg is not shy to write songs with explicitly queer subjects (But I’m a Top, Messing Around, First Time in a Gay Bar), while also taking on more universal longings, pleasures, and frustrations (Jersey, Love Letter, Cry Baby). As the album’s title suggests, Matchy Matchy is also a meditation on sameness, both in its musical material (think limited chords in major keys, repeated phrases and constructions, and citations of Goldberg’s influences) and in its lyrical exploration of queer relationships and encounters. The album reclaims the insult of “matchy matchy,” finding value in repetition and doubling, both within the album and across the Ballet’s discography. For fans of the Magnetic Fields, 60’s bubblegum, 80’s synthpop and 90’s indiepop.