Michael Angelakos, the frontman and creative force behind the indie pop band
Passion Pit, is back with his third record,
Kindred, where he is backed by an entirely new lineup of the band.
The record opens with lead single “Lifted Up (1985),” possibly one of its catchiest songs and the closest to the band’s signature upbeat, happy musical style circa
Manners. The next two songs, “Whole Life Story” and “Where The Sky Hangs,” are equally as upbeat and catchy as ever.
On multiple tracks, including “Where The Sky Hangs,” what sound like synths are actually Angelakos’ voice manipulated by computers and pedals.
While Angelakos’ music has always sounded happy, his lyrics have usually dealt with his well-documented troubles with depression. However, it appears that on
Kindred, he has finally turned a corner towards better days.