Checking In With Passion Pit

It’s been a little while since we’ve talked about Passion Pit, so it’s probably time to check in with those Boston boys. They’ve been busy little worker bees since their debut LP Manners dropped last summer, turning their attention toward some name-building remixes for the likes of Max Tundra, OK Go, and Phoenix. Most recently, they touched up Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s “Telephone” as an official remix. Wouldn’t have predicted that one a year ago! BUT, I don’t really like that remix, so I’m not going to post it here. We have standards, sometimes, sort of. Besides, Crookers already done been there and done done that.

I am, however, going to talk about two tracks that have slid my way from the boys recently. First up, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, Michael Angelakos and co. put their touches on OK Go’s “This Too Shall Pass.” It’s a very Passion Pit-esque remix – which is a good thing. The remix drips with signature synths and swirls, and pops with handclaps (always a direct line to my heart). Being a longer song, it doesn’t quite pack the punch that some of Passion Pit’s originals cram in, but it’s pretty baller regardless. Would love to hear some real drums here instead of drum machines, but now we’re quibbling.

Even more baller is a live, acoustic version of “Sleepyhead” that the band (more specifically, Michael Angelakos) did for Minneapolis Public Radio. The song, which has been remixed and re-imagined thousands of times, is Passion Pit’s calling card, and it’s great to hear a different approach to a song they’ve probably played a thousand times. Angelakos slows down the melody, eliminates the sample, and strips the tune down to just piano. Remarkably (or perhaps predictably, since the song is so good) “Sleepyhead” stands up in its barest form yet. It’s a new trick for an old dog, and it’s worth a treat.

OK Go – This Too Shall Pass (Passion Pit Remix) (YSI) (filesavr)

Passion Pit – Sleepyhead (Piano Version) (YSI) (filesavr)