Matt Pond PA, led by singer-songwriter Matt Pond, have unveiled a miraculous number of albums and EPs since their inception in the late ‘90s, each interesting in its own way. The group’s latest, The State of Gold, reveals what years of experience and practice will deliver, each song crafted with a careful sheen and cohesively connected to its companions. “There Were Times,” a shimmering indie-rock number laced with strings, is an immediate standout with its memorable lines: “There were times when I was not myself/ There were times when I was someone else.” The rest of the songs are similarly wrought, combining orchestral elements with a propulsive indie-rock sensibility that feels precise and amiable. “Don’t Look Down” builds to a soaring chorus, while “Have To Know” leans inward to create an introspective, ambient ballad. The title track splits into two interconnected songs, each of which reveals Pond’s dexterous songwriting from a different angle. The album doesn’t necessarily break new ground for the band, but it also doesn’t need to.