8/10

Label: Columbia  |   Released: 23.07.12.

If youÔÇÖve heard the first single, Take a Walk, from Passion PitÔÇÖs new album Gossamer, you may be surprised by the rest of the album.┬á With its bluesy synth riff and earnest harmony from the backing singers, you could be mistaken in thinking Gossamer would be taking a slightly slower tempo.┬á On the contrary.┬á There is a manic, slightly ADHD feel to the album, like your head is constantly turning, and there are shiny things all around you. ┬áSynthetic basslines and syncopated keyboard chords in Carried Away call to mind video game music, and the same squeaky, pitch adjusted voice that was present on previous hit Sleepyhead is present here, in IÔÇÖll Be Alright.┬á The overall feeling is one of energy and joy, but there are contrasts.┬á Mirrored SeaÔÇÖs catchy opening riff sounds like an anthem that a crowd of festival goers could yell along to, and Cry Like a GhostÔÇÖs reverberating bass and synthetic claps give an R+B feel. ┬áJust like the construction of the album, layer upon layer of melody, there is a darker edge underneath the sugary veneer of these tunes.┬á Cheerfully, frontman Michael Angelakos sings ÔÇ£letÔÇÖs just keep pretending to be friendsÔÇØ on Carried Away and about how he can beat ÔÇ£all these demonsÔÇØ.┬á These lyrics take on even more meaning once you know that Angelakos┬á ┬á actually had to cancel several tour dates recently due to mental illness. Gossamer, then, is not as light and fluffy as you might first think.┬á┬á