On their fourth LP, L.A.’s indie-rock mood-masters play with tension like never before. There’s a driving immediacy to the electro-rocker “Cradle (Better Nature)” that, despite its punch, is never pushed full-throttle. The same with “Connection”, whose crunchy, filtered guitars punctuate and propel singer Brian Aubert’s subdued social commentary. On Pins & Needles, his melodic vocals float over a swinging groove thats so in-the-pocket, it dares you not to nod your head. Every track builds till its on the verge of exploding, but the bands calculated sense of restraint ensures they never lose their cool.