“Gossamer”
Passion Pit
“Gossamer” is the long-awaited follow-up to Passion Pit’s 2009 breakthrough album, “Manners.”

The pop band, based in Cambridge, Mass., first made its way into the lives of music lovers throughout the country when its hit song “Sleepyhead” was used in a commercial for Sprint’s Palm Pixi phone. In the years following, the group’s airy and whimsical tunes have continued to make waves in the music industry.

“Gossamer,” which was released last Tuesday, is proof the band hasn’t lost its talent or ability to produce great music.

With tracks such as “I’ll Be Alright,” which begins with the bass blasting, and “Constant Conversations,” featuring soft harmonies that produce an R&B-type feel, this album is the perfect blend of multiple genres.

“Synthetica”
Metric
“Synthetica,” which was released June 12, is Toronto-based band Metric’s fifth album and probably my favorite from the independent rock ‘n’ roll band that formed 10 years ago.

“Youth Without Youth” and “Artificial Nocturne” are two of the album’s most impressive tracks. With lyrics such as “double dutch with a hand grenade,” the group’s single “Youth without Youth” is a catchy song that touches on political issues and puts them to a beat listeners can dance to.

Emily Haines, the group’s vocalist, opens up “Artificial Nocturne” with another angsty line — “I’m just as f***ed up as they say” — proving she isn’t willing to play it safe with her music, which I applaud her for.

“Living Things”
Linkin Park
I thought the glory days of rock group Linkin Park would come to an end in 2007 after the hype from its third studio album, “Minutes to Midnight,” died down.

But with the release of the band’s fifth album, “Living Things,” on June 26, I was wrong.

While “Living Things” is by no means Linkin Park’s best piece of work, songs like “Castle of Glass” and “Victimized” definitely put the band back on the map.

“Castle of Glass” probably is the most intriguing song on the album with compelling lyrics and metaphors, while “Victimized” is thrilling with a more hard-core sound reminiscent of Linkin Park’s earlier tunes.

“Overexposed”
Maroon 5
Since its first hit song reached the ears of millions in July 2002, Maroon 5, a once alternative-rock band, since has taken a new pop-centric direction with its music.

“Overexposed,” the group’s fourth studio album that was released June 26, is a prime example of this transition between genres and the success Maroon 5 has experienced because of it.

Reminiscent of one of my favorite Maroon 5 songs “She Will Be Loved,” “Pay Phone” the second track on this album, is one that has been played often in the weeks following its release.

““One More Night,” another top hit from “Overexposed,” is a more upbeat tune that encourages listeners to get up and dance.