Matt Pond PA EMBLEMS (Altitude)

The PA stands for Pennsylvania, which is fitting for a guy who named his buzz-building 2002 album The Nature of Maps. That release was Pond’s last for the renowned Illinois label Polyvinyl and his last before moving from Philly to NYC, where he assembled an all-new crew of back-up musicians.

Despite all the changes, this soft-rocker hasn’t lost any of his momentum: Emblems is full of his trademark sharp wit and breezy melodies. He’s fond of making thematic connections: the electro-tinged sing-along "Closest" is related not only to the autumnal "Close (KC Two)" but also to Maps’ "Closer." And "Close (KC Two)" itself completes the tender love story that begins with the opening "KC": "There’s no way to the heart better than awkwardly/In Canada on New Year’s Eve." The singer gets nostalgic for his childhood home on the gorgeous "New Hampshire," and "Summer (Butcher Two)" paints a vivid portrait of teenage lust over a frisky groove that recalls the Smashing Pumpkins’ "1979." Emblems is a lilting rock travelogue that Shins and Death Cab fans can’t afford to miss.

(Matt Pond PA performs this Wednesday, June 23, at the Paradise, 967 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston; call 617-562-8800.)