There’s a simple formula for this new album from Massachusetts indie-pop darlings Passion Pit: all the best tracks have brackets in the title.
It begins with Lifted
Up (1985). The video may be set at a rave to compliment the euphoric
production, but lyrically this is a love song to lead singer Michael Angelakos’s
wife told through images of faith: “the sky broke apart then you appeared out
from the heavens”. That tension between cutesy, vibrant music and serious lyrical
content has always been at the heart of Passion Pit’s sound, reaching a peak
with their last album ‘Gossamer’ that explored Angelakos coping with depression. Lifted Up (1985) sets the scene for an
altogether more positive album that lacks the grit of their past material.
Next up is Five Foot
Ten (I), that’s later paired with Ten
Feet Tall (II). In typical Passion Pit fashion, the production of the
former is littered with funk rhythms and a multitude of tiny flourishes, whilst
the latter is more expansive but no less catchy. At the album's centre
is Until We Can’t (Let’s Go), a song
full of punchy beats and whizzing, whirring production. Again, it’s typical of
the band’s style, but these songs represent them at their catchiest, most
joyful and electrifying best.
The formula does have some exceptions. Whole Life Story is a fun little clap-along and Where the Sky Hangs slows the pace with
a more open sound than the usual kitchen-sink production. My Brother Taught Me How to Swim is also a late highlight, the
obvious baptism metaphor paired with up-tempo synths and an enjoyable middle
eight breakdown. As ever, these songs have heart and soul beneath the colourful exterior.
Yet between these songs the pace is slowed to a crawl: the
meandering All I Want, the
melancholic (for Passion Pit) Dancing on
the Grave, and the pedestrian Looks
Like Rain. These songs are, frankly, dull. And that’s not a word usually
associated with Passion Pit, a band known for their exciting, kaleidoscopic production. They may offer respite from the whizz-bang of the
rest of the album, but they’re mostly forgettable.
The main criticism of ‘Kindred’, though, is that it doesn’t
really offer anything new beyond the childlike melodies and vivacious energy the band are known for. Where debut ‘Manners’ introduced us to their upbeat sound
and ‘Gossamer’ both expanded the richness of the production and added more
personal, intimate lyrics, ‘Kindred’ hangs in an awkward middle ground. As such
it’s impossible to avoid comparison: the faster tracks can’t compete with the
neon joy of The Reeling or Little Secrets; the slower tracks have
nothing on the glittering Sleepyhead or
Constant Conversations; and there’s
nothing as politically charged as Take a
Walk or as euphorically self-loathing as I’ll Be Alright. Instead this is enjoyable, but not essential.
If you’re looking for the best Passion Pit song of 2015,
then switch over to Madeon’s ‘Adventure’ where the band feature on Pay No Mind. Every other song on ‘Kindred’
pales in comparison.
3/5
Gizzle’s Choice:
* Lifted Up (1985)
* Five Foot Ten (I)
* Until We Can’t (Let’s Go)
Listen: ‘Kindred’ is available now.