Less than a year after releasing its critically acclaimed third album, The Green Fury, matt pond PA returned with The Nature of Maps. The album was recorded and produced on their home turf of Philadelphia by the band and Brian McTear (The Green Fury) at Brian's minerstreet/cyclesound studio.

The record is classic mpPA one that finds the band perfecting its unique sound with beautiful songs where guitar/vocals, drums, and bass are coupled with cello, violin, and vibraphone arrangements.

Despite Matt Pond being the group's primary singer-songwriter, The Nature of Maps, was a holistic, collaborative project with each band member including percussionist Mike Kennedy (Audible), guitarist Jim Kehoe (Audible) and cellist Eve Miller (Rachel's) contributing heavily to the songwriting process.