Passion Pit Aim for Honesty, Innovation on Upcoming Album

Passion Pit frontman Michael Angelakos describes his band's next album as "pretty good" in an interview with Pitchfork in which he also declares that the record will be emotional, honest and more innovative than the group's last album, 'Manners.'

Angelakos says that he's pouring himself into this album. "I really f---ing hate dishonesty, which a lot of indie music is especially prone to. I like artists that are really honest and talk about their lives, because people invest in that as much as they invest in the record itself. I had a really rough year, and I got engaged right before recording — and recording takes a real toll on you. I vilified myself. I had to do it."

In addition to recruiting Swedish a cappella trio Erato for background vocals, Angelakos is experimenting with new recording techniques. "I like expansive sound. Someone told me, 'Try recording a song with 24 [instrumental] tracks.' I ended up with 157, and we had to mute half the song just to balance it out. That's how I work. It's a product of technology today."

Among the boundary-pushing new songs are 'Constant Conversations,' which dabbles in R&B melodies, and 'I'll Be Alright,' which offers a lengthy string section. 'Twitch' and 'Love is Greed,' meanwhile, stick to the band's more familiar sound. Angelakos does some serious name-dropping in the chat, citing Brian Wilson and Rick Rubin as artists who have offered feedback on the new album, which does not yet have a release date.

The Passion Pit singer adds that he's constantly aiming for flawless songs. "I'm really obsessed with perfect songwriting craftsmanship. I don't think a lot of people in music today care about that. Maybe Dr. Luke does, because he has a formula — but it's a terrible one, and it's not going to last. Cole Porter's songs will last forever." He adds, "People think Passion Pit takes itself very seriously, but it does have this self-mockery and loathing. I really don't take myself very seriously until I finally look at the album — and this is a pretty good album."