Album Review: Passion Pit - Gossamer

Massachusetts's electro pop darlings, Passion Pit, are back with more of their bright and bubbly pop sound on sophomore album, Gossamer. Following 2009's Manners – which was written about lead singer Michael Angelakos, and not about a girl as commonly misconceived – Gossamer is about couples, touching on the ins and outs, and ups and downs of relationships, all backed by a fun, funky beat.

Opener Take A Walk is the first single to be released from the album and immediately gets the toes tapping with a pounding drum beat and uplifting melody that the band do so well. I'll Be Alright smacks in next with energetic, squealing vocals and a dubstep beat of programmed drums and synths, followed by a big breakdown in the chorus that gives it all the signs of a hit in the making.

Taking things down to a sexy r'n'b vibe is Constant Conversations, which was inspired by the band playing around with R Kelly-style beats during recording sessions for the album. A number of love songs litter the track list from the sarcastic Love Is Greed – “If we really love ourselves/How can we love somebody else” – to the musical-style On My Way, a song written about a girl admired from afar whose face appears throughout the album's artwork.

The chilled beats and beautiful, longing vocals of Where We Belong is a great finish to the album and shows a delicate side to Angelakos as he cries: “Who says you want to stay/How's this the easier way?” All in all, a well-rounded collection of tracks creating a solid follow up album.