I have a relatively new and profound love of synthy electro-pop.  I can trace the origins of this love to a specific date and time: May 22, 2009.  The day I first heard Passion Pit.

My husband and I were on our way to a friends cottage in Michigan for a Memorial Day weekend, house opening extravaganza, whilst listening to Sound Opinions on the last shreds of WBEZ to accompany us over the Michigan-Indiana border.  Mr. Kot and Mr. DeRogatis began reviewing Manners the new release by Passion Pit.  When the first synthesized waaah-wa-wa-wadaahh met the high-hat and Michael Angelakos’ chirpy lead vocal on “The Reeling” came streaming over the airwaves, I was a goner.  It hit me right in my, heretofore unknown, nostalgia-tinged sweet spot.

From there came my “discovery” of Phoenix, the homely and humble French indie-pop band whose newest album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix soon came into heavy rotation on my play list.  (Aside: This truly is an album in the traditional and best sense.  Press play then sit back and listen from beginning to end.) That flirtation blossomed into a full blown summer romance one August evening.  Packed like sardines on the ballroom floor, with the scents of cannibas and the sweaty masses in the air, Phoenix and I consummated our love to their thrilling and utterly bitchin’ performance at the Aragon.

From there the proverbial musical flood gates opened, pouring out such wonders a Miike Snow and The Temper Trap, Empire of the Sun and MGMT, and relative newbies SPEAK and Two Door Cinema Club.  Where had these skinny pant wearing lovelies been?  I also began to notice a trend in my musical selections…disproportionately falsetto singin’, synthesizer playin’, drum machine kickin’ males.  Granted, those of you who know me also know that I go into paroxysms of fangirly glee at the mere mention of the lurvely and talented Ms. Imogen Heap.  However, with the exception of Ladyhawke and Immi, I have gone over the moon for the fellas in 2009.

What, I wonder, will 2010 bring?  A hip-hop renaissance?  If one of my fellow audiophiles (you know who you are) has any say, perhaps.  What is fairly certain is more live shows (Miike Snow @ Metro and Passion Pit @ Congress Theater on one magical weekend in April), more songs of the day populated by the poppy wonder stuck on repeat in my head, and a ballooning music budget!

So, to paraphrase a favorite: with an open heart and an listening ear, I say unto you…allez musique!