Matt and Kim released their first album, Matt & Kim, on October 26, 2006. The album sold modestly, primarily at live shows. Many indie fans praised their music, and the two gained popularity through their many outgoing tours. Following the release of their first album, Matt and Kim began playing high profile music festivals, such as The Siren Music Festival and Lollapalooza. The duo signed with Fader Label and their second album, Grand, recorded in Matt's childhood bedroom at his parents' home in Vermont, was released on January 20, 2009. A video for one of the album's highlights, "Lessons Learned", in which the duo strips nude in Times Square, was shot during a very cold winter day in February 2009.
On November 2, 2010, the duo released their third album, Sidewalks. Co-produced by Ben Allen, Oliver Strauss and Matt, the album as a whole adopted a more refined, yet dense hip-hop influence in comparison to the previous two, while still maintaining the upbeat and party-esque style they are known for. Matt and Kim headlined two U.S. tours in support, in Fall 2010 and again during May/June 2011. They also played numerous festivals including Australia's Big Day Out, Japan's Fuji and V in the UK. In addition, they played at many American colleges, worked extensively through Europe and South America and, in Fall 2011, they supported Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance on select dates. Although not officially released as a single, the song "Good for Great" received significant airplay in some markets, and was ranked #65 on Boston station WFNX's Top 101 of 2011 list.
On June 22, 2012, Matt and Kim issued a brand new track, "Let's Go" as a digital single, meanwhile, the band put finishing touches on their fourth full length album, Lightning, released on October 2, 2012. The single, "Let's Go", peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. On June 25, 2012, the duo uploaded a video to their YouTube channel featuring ball handler Pat the Roc performing basketball tricks as "Let's Go" plays in full. Then on September 4, 2012, the duo released a lyric video for another new song on the album, "Now". On October 1, 2012, "Overexposed", "Not That Bad", "Much Too Late", "Ten Dollars I Found", "Tonight", "It's Alright", "I Said" and "I Wonder" were released on YouTube as official first listens. Matt and Kim premiered their official music video for "Let's Go" via the Funny or Die website in November.
The full-length album got a digital/CD/vinyl release on October 2, 2012 and the band began their official US Fall Lightning Tour the next day in Burlington, Vermont. On February 5, 2013, Matt and Kim kicked off their US tour with Passion Pit. While on tour, the official music video for "It's Alright" was released on February 25, 2013, featuring Matt and Kim in a choreographed dance routine in bed. In March 2013 Matt and Kim wrapped their US tour and performed at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida before heading to Australia for a three-week tour at the end of April.
In May, Matt and Kim announced their touring schedule for summer 2013, starting with a show at the Great GoogaMooga in Brooklyn, NY on May 18, 2013. In June, Matt and Kim performed at Free Press Summer Fest, Sandy Parts Festival, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Firefly Music Festival, Summerfest and Party in the Park. In July, they played at the Keloha Music & Arts Fest and the Forecastle Festival. In August, they played at Lollapalooza in Chicago. In October, they played at Corona Capital, in Mexico City.
On January 13, 2015, Matt and Kim released the single "Get It" in promotion of their fifth album. Along with this, they also released Spring tour dates, an album pre-order, and a lyric video to accompany the single. "Get It" received mixed reviews from fans as it ventures away from their past DIY sound. On February 10, 2015 Matt and Kim released the promotional video for the single "Hey Now" through their official VEVO Youtube account. On February 24, 2015, the band released "Hoodie On" through their official VEVO account. On April 7, 2015, Matt and Kim released the full album and held an in store performance at Amoeba Music's Hollywood store to celebrate.
Don't Slow Down
Matt & Kim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brooklyn, Grand Street
Four Flights,Late nights
Black Socks, White Dice
Ten pounds loud sounds
Turn up,tied and bound
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
(Don't slow down)
Fire escape sunny
(Don't slow down)
Butter and honey
(don't slow down)
Iron and money
Don't slow down
(Don't slow down)
Pen Versus Pencil
(Don't slow down)
I don't make the rules
( Don't slow down)
Physical Mental
Don't Slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Gardens and trash cans
Hoodie and Chuck-T's
Arm,Fingers, and Hands
Don't slow down
(Don't slow down)
I'm Feeling Restless
(Don't slow down)
Summons and Sentence
(Don't slow down)
We've made some messes
(don't slow down)
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
Don't slow down
The first verse of "Don't Slow Down" by Matt and Kim sets the scene for the rest of the song. The singer mentions being on Grand Street in Brooklyn with locked knees and no keys, suggesting a sense of urgency and perhaps even danger. The next line, "Four flights, late nights," adds to this feeling of being on the run or in a rush. The image of black socks and white dice suggests a contrast between light and dark, or perhaps gambling with fate. "Ten pounds loud sounds" is a line that is open to interpretation, but it could refer to the weight of music or the intensity of sound. "Turn up, tied and bound" goes along with the sense of being trapped or constrained.
The recurring phrase "Don't slow down" is a call to action that reinforces the feeling of urgency and restlessness in the song. The second verse paints a picture of everyday objects and situations that take on a new significance when viewed through the lens of the singer's mindset. "Fire escape sunny" and "butter and honey" suggest fleeting moments of pleasure or escape. "Iron and money" is a more practical concern, but still one that keeps the singer moving forward. "Pen versus pencil" is a nod to creativity and the struggle to express oneself. The line "I don't make the rules" suggests a sense of rebellion or nonconformity. "Physical mental" could refer to the exertion required to keep up with the demands of life.
The final verse returns to the specific details of the singer's surroundings, with "Gardens and trash cans" and "Hoodie and Chuck-T's." The body parts mentioned - arm, fingers, and hands - suggest a sense of physicality and agency in the face of whatever challenges the singer is facing. The final part of the verse mentions being "feeling restless" and "summons and sentence," which could suggest legal trouble or just a general feeling of being trapped. "We've made some messes" is a statement of accountability, but the final "Don't slow down" suggests that the singer isn't willing to stop moving forward anytime soon.
Line by Line Meaning
Locked Knees,No keys
We are standing here without keys and our knees seem to be locked.
Brooklyn, Grand Street
We are at the intersection of Brooklyn and Grand street.
Four Flights,Late nights
We have to climb up four flights of stairs after being out late all night.
Black Socks, White Dice
Our outfit consists of black socks and white dice.
Ten pounds loud sounds
The loud music is causing some serious vibrations, possibly like ten pounds of weight.
Turn up,tied and bound
We've turned up the volume so loud, we feel somewhat tied and bound by the music.
(Don't slow down)
Fire escape sunny
Despite the music and chaos, we can see a sunny fire escape nearby.
(Don't slow down)
Butter and honey
We're in a bright and sweet moment of life, perhaps similar to butter and honey.
(Don't slow down)
Iron and money
Similar to the fire escape and sweet moments, iron and money may represent growth and progress.
(Don't slow down)
Pen Versus Pencil
We're facing choices, analogous to the fight between a pen and a pencil.
(Don't slow down)
I don't make the rules
We may not be making the rules, but we are not slowing down and taking initiative.
(Don't slow down)
Physical Mental
We are pushing ourselves both physically and mentally.
Gardens and trash cans
Hoodie and Chuck-T's
Arm, Fingers, and Hands
Our surroundings include gardens and trash cans, while we wear hoodies and Chuck-T's. Our arm, fingers, and hands might also be moving along with the music or in a productive manner.
(Don't slow down)
I'm Feeling Restless
Our energy is increasing and we are feeling restless.
(Don't slow down)
Summons and Sentence
We feel as if we are being held accountable, like the beginning of a court summons and sentence.
(Don't slow down)
We've made some messes
No matter what happens, we've made a few messes, but we're not slowing down.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind