Opening for everyone from Death Cab for Cutie to Girl Talk, Cambridge, MA's Passion Pit has been getting quite a bit of attention lately, and after hearing "Chunk of Change" we're jumping on the bandwagon. The group's brand of electronic pop is instantly infectious, kinda like hearing Postal Service but with the beat from a dance club echoing in the distance, and then all filtered through a distorted psych-pop lens.

I may be getting ahead of myself when I say that I love every song on this record. Chunk of Change opens with the simple yet catchy electronic beat of "I've Got Your Number," the first of the many fine tunes on this six-song EP from Cambridge, MA newcomers, Passion Pit. The record builds and builds until it climaxes with "Sleepyhead," the kick-ass single that is sure to be on every iPod DJ's playlist from here on out (currently available on Other Music Digital as a free download through Friday). The song begins with a chipmunk-like voice (a sped-up recording of Jack Keroauc if you believe everything you read on the Internet) paired with an angelic choir supporting singer Michael Angelakos, and a thumping drum beat that evolves into a kaleidoscope of synths. Speaking of the synth, each of the five members has that credit to their name, but thankfully they use their collective superpower wisely.

While Passion Pit have been mentioned in the same breath as Girl Talk and MGMT, nowhere in my research did I come upon any comparison to Postal Service. This was a little surprising; Angelakos sounds like a pubescent Ben Gibbard on speed. Which is to say he sounds f**king awesome. Try "Smile Upon Me" and tell me that's not Gibbard's saucy little brother. It's no wonder that they have opened for Death Cab in the past.

What I like about these lads is that they are just so darn optimistic! For example, "Cuddle Fuddle" is a super cute track with a steel-drum sounding sample and lyrics about Rapunzel. In "Live to Tell the Tale," Angelakos sings, "I hope I'll fall asleep knowing that you'll always be the story with no ending." Tear. According to lore, he initially wrote and recorded these songs all by his lonesome as a (late?) Valentine's Day gift to his girlfriend. Then it became a gift to everyone, he got some band mates and signed to Frenchkiss -- and I predict that Passion Pit will soon become the most popular act on the label's roster. Just like the chorus of their hyper jungle/80s/M.I.A.-influenced "Better Things" proclaims, "Better things are coming, I swear there's truth in that." (Tanya Leet, September 17, 2008)