Spotlight: Of Monsters and Men, Passion Pit, Milo Greene

After months of listening almost exclusively to music from Youth Lagoon and The National, my music tastes took on the form of one of those black ghost orb things commonly depicted on Celebrity Ghost Stories - a sort of hovering, depressed energy.

So, this week, with a new spring in my step and Hype Machine at my command, I set forth for greener pastures of happier, more carefree music. Here’s what I found:

Of Monsters and Men - “Little Talks”

The Icelandic six-piece are the new Edward Sharpe. They sing to your ears and play to your eyes, but dance with you in your heart, holding your hand and playfully nudging your elbow.

Download the track here, via The Muse In Music.

Passion Pit - “Take A Walk”

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Passion Pit, with 70% of my judgment a result of “Sleepyhead”, and the other 30 from what I heard when I saw them a couple of years ago. But man does their lead single off the upcoming album make me want to take a walk in the park (and staying in the park theme: Beach House - “Walk in the Park” Live on Pitchfork TV).

Seeing as how I’m no Passion Pit expert, I was surprised that the theme of the song was so mature - it is about a family doing their best in times of turmoil. Good job guys!

Milo Greene - “1957”

Milo Greene came to my attention through the Deskless performance series, run by the NPR Music interns. They are my favourite new band, and their brand of fuss-free folk pop is immensely inclusive; sing along and you’ll feel like part of the gang. They’ve got such extraordinary pop sensibilities that snippets could pass off as a Backstreet Boys song (oh yes, that’s a compliment).

Move over Local Natives? Maybe just for now.

Download the track here, via Kata Rokkar.

www.ofmonstersandmen.is
www.passionpitmusic.com
www.milogreene.com