16 Aug 2007

Hot New Talent Alert: Passenger

Passenger is one of those talented new bands that you must hear.

Hailing from the pebbly shores of Brighton, England, this five-piece puts out a charming brand of pop rock with subtle electronica stylings that I find truly compelling.

Most of Passenger's music is centered around Mike Rosenberg's idiosyncratic, choir boy vocals that conveys emotions that are both melancholic and cheerful.

The group's storytelling has a sincerity to it that makes their music totally precious. But sometimes their music's sunny coating distracts from its darker meaning. Take for example their new single "Walk You Home." It seems a sweet tale about a guy who is totally devoted to his girlfiend, but it is actually a song about stalking.

"Walk You Home" is gaining steam in the U.K. impressing both fans and critics. The Sun calls Passenger's music "intensely beautiful," Q Magazine's labels them as "essential," and now they can add "Hot New Talent" to the list as well. More importantly, BBC radio jockey Jo Whiley has been championing the group's single and BBC 2 has added "Walk You Home" to their August playlist.

"Walk You Home" will formally be released on September 2. You can pre-order it DRM-free MP3 format on 7Digital. Look out for Passenger's debut album "Wicked Man's Rest" and will be out in the U.K. on September 17.