After a long break spent doing things other than making records, like living life and touring with
the Postal Service, the always reliable duo of
Kori Gardner and
Jason Hammel return with a five-song EP that boils their energetically-pop-with-synths-and-booming-drums sound down into its purest form. You're Going to Make It is spilt between aching ballads that sound lifted from the back half of an
ABBA album ("Sides of Boxes," "Gonna Get It"), typically pumped-up pop with big choruses ("I Want to Run"), and songs that really should be radio hits (the super-hooky "Staring Contest"). Add in a dramatic ballad ("Beautiful Kids") that features some solid vocals from
Hammel contrasting well with
Gardner's wonderfully soaring voice and these five songs end up being some of their best work. It's quite amazing after so many years that their creative well hasn't run dry even a little; by this time in their careers most bands are already playing the oldies circuit. You're Going to Make It is convincing proof that
Mates of State are far from that less-than-thrilling fate. ~ Tim Sendra