When The Walkmen burst onto the indie scene in 2002, they cast themselves as a brooding post-punk band and built a signature sound that was hooked around stark and sparse arrangements. 2004's breakthrough Bows + Arrows continued to present a group full of fury, with Hamilton Leithauser leading the charge with his characteristic howls. Switching style, albums like 2008's You & Me and 2012's Heaven were infused with an optimistic tint, and were full of tracks that successfully veered into the realm of folk ballads.