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Hearing that Passion Pit finally had a release date on a new album was like hearing from an old friend. Between the release of Passion Pit’s Debut LP Manners and this summer’s Gossamer, we’ve seen the rise of acts like M83 and Neon Indian similarly employ thickly layered electronic sounds over falsetto vocals. This Passion Pit release, however, is dynamic and wonderful in its arrangements and lyrical complexities. The sound on Gossamer is more precise and polished than its predecessors, (however, still appealing to a chaos factor) and commands the listener’s complete attention. 'Where we belong', for instance, sounds decidedly cinematic as Michael Angelakos croons softly that he’s “found a place where we belong” to the gentle swelling of violins. This track, a departure from others on the album, spreads itself beautifully between layers of orchestral sounds and pulsing drum beats. We hear a similar aesthetic on 'Love is Greed', a wholly upbeat track that slowly trickles out on the cleanest of violin strokes.
Constant Conversations, however, is a whole ‘nother ballgame and a complete departure from anything on debut EP Chunk of Change. The number of beats per minutes drop off sharply in what can most definitely be considered the slow jam of the album. Where Chunk of Change was about how complex the sounds and melodies could become, 'Constant Conversations' cleanly glides from hook to chorus. It is soulful and exciting in its melancholy and does a perfect job of wrapping itself around your ears. Backing vocals deftly round out the track, evoking Passion Pit’s ever present penchant for whimsy. While so unlike any other track on the 12 song album, no two songs are the same on Gossamer, calling into focus a perfect range of music acuity.
More than a couple tracks on the release have the qualities of an immaculate Queen harmony integrated perfectly with Passion Pit beats and melodies ('Carried Away', 'Love is Greed'). The marriage, though unlikely, will undoubtedly leave a pleasant taste in your ears. Gossamer was released July 24th and is available on iTunes, Amazon, and through the Passion Pit website.
Standout Tracks:
Carried Away
Constant Conversations
Take a Walk
I’ll be Alright
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