Michael Angelakos has some problems. But making intricate, vibrant, maximalist pop music isn't one of them. Taking his songs at face value, his drinking has led him to dark places. His shifting personalities has cost him friends. His overwhelming anxiety has paralyzed his efforts. Yet, if there is one constant he can cling to, he has been carried (perhaps literally) by his girlfriend. In a way, Gossamer is his unblinking gratitude.
Like Passion Pit's debut Manners, the tracks on Gossamer are buoyant electro-pop confections, bubbling up and spreading out in colorful swaths of effects and melodies. But the canvas is much bigger this time, both in terms of the advanced arrangements and the deeply-personal lyrics. A song like "I'll Be Alright" feels supercharged with a million pop particles firing in all directions. And it is difficult to think of another artist creating a sunny, sophisticated R&B slow-jam like "Constant Conversations," while at the same time rendering genuine insights into alcoholism and relapse. Angelekos examines his life with an unflinching eye, and when his unsettling behavior is intertwined with the self-assured brightness of the music, it makes for jarring juxtapositions. In reference to his drinking, for example, Angelekos notes his "life has become some blurry little quest," while the music bounces along with synth-gurgling glee.
Though the personal difficulties are undoubtedly real--Passion Pit canceled shows this summer so that Angelekos could regroup--it sure embeds a pop record with extra gravitas. The soul-baring struggles, paired with the heady hooks, are immediate and immersive. And despite the bewildering problems portrayed throughout the album, one thing is certain: it may take some time for Angelekos to figure out his personal life, but his music is only getting better.
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