This week, alternative electronic bigwigs Passion Pit released their long-awaited third studio album, Kindred. Although this album didn’t live up to everything the first three singles made it seem to be, it has a great story behind it and plenty of songs to jam to.
After quite a long hiatus following their sophomore album “Gossamer,” the group is back, but not after some rocky roads. Lead singer Michael Angelakos suffers from bipolar disorder and, due to an increase in needed treatment, the group had to cancel a portion of their 2012 tour. It was later revealed that he was on suicide watch and the tour was officially cancelled. Luckily, in May of 2013, The Huffington Post released an article on Angelakos’s recovery and performance at Madison Square Garden. The article also said he was “in one of the best places he’s ever been in.” Then comes the birth of Kindred.
This is Passion Pit’s, and specifically Angelakos’, happiest album yet. It’s full of uplifting and generally joyful songs. From the first two albums to “Kindred,” the music has seemed to shift focus from his dealing with mental health issues to what gives Angelakos strength. The first single, “Lifted Up (1985)”, is about his wife being there for him during this tough crossroad in his life and a lot of the songs have a very similar theme.
As you travel through the album, Passion Pit’s atmospheric synths and unique electronic style stand out. But it’s the more subtle, rather than chaotic, songs that really make the best statement. Songs like “Looks Like Rain,” the soft ballad that alludes to the religious and spiritual, and “Where The Sky Hangs,” the lithe pop-funk jam—my personal favorite off the album—exude a delicate style usually unnoticed of Passion Pit’s music.
“Looks Like Rain” is not the only song that has religious imagery. “My Brother Taught Me How To Swim,” a childlike song full of chiming bells, directly speaks about baptism. Angelakos sings, “We treaded water underneath the ocean’s skin/And then he washed away my sins.” This is the first I’ve ever noticed the spiritual aspects of their music, but I soon realized a lot of their music has this motif.
If you’re looking for the typical high energy Passion Pit songs, like their past hit, “Take A Walk,” there are still plenty of those. Their third single, “Until We Can’t (Let’s Go),” begins with a buildup of pumping synths to a soft verse and then to an explosive chorus. Lead single, “Lifted Up (1985),” also exudes that heavy electronic style so notable of Passion Pit. This tune is paired with a music video set in a rave with an obviously uncomfortable Angelakos.
I would give this album a solid B; it has a lot of high points but nothing too extraordinary. My top three songs, in no particular order, include “Where The Sky Hangs,” “Looks Like Rain” and “Whole Life Story.” The album is definitely worth a listen, and it makes me happy to hear how much better Angelakos feels. It really exudes the happiness he has reached in his life.
https://open.spotify.com/user/dutastyjams/playlist/09OnuLw0PUmwC0Stxj7OvF
