Blah blah blah, The State Department are breaking up. Blah blah blah, they are playing their last show tonight, but you know what is more exciting? The post-punk, Battles-aping, math rock-loving trio Imperial China are opening. Imperial China should be playing massive shows or at least opening for a bigger band on a tour across the states, because really they are D.C.’s great hope. Imperial China wins the award for most improved, as when they started they had a lot of ideas but nothing to back them up. Their latest album How We Connect is fantastic (aside from the third-grade color me in cover- see above) and displays a band that lives up to their album title of connecting. They may have a lot of ideas, but Imperial China are ready to execute them. Today’s song of the day is a cut from How We Connect “Redux.” The track has the expected meticulously crafted guitar work, but the secret weapon is drummer Patrick Gough’s shuffling beat that goes from danceable to all out spastic and crushing in 0.1 seconds.The State Department, may you rest in peace (no one will remember you anyways). Long live Imperial China.

Imperial China plays tonight with The State Department and Typefighter at 7 p.m. at U Street Music Hall (1115A U Street NW). Tickets $10.