Music Forecast 10.15-10.21: Toro y Moi, Passion Pit and Grace Potter

Passion Pit

Oh, how we’ve missed the precious, childlike falsetto of Passion Pit’s Michael Angelakos in the years since 2012’s brilliant Gossamer. Angelakos is back, with the April-released Kindred, giving us the soaring ’90s synths and blissful power-pop chords that make our hearts lighter. For what it’s worth, Angelakos seems a great deal happier than he did on Gossamer and its predecessor, Manners (2009). Kindred is a sugar rush of positive pop, and Angelakos has never sounded better.

Tuesday, October 20, the Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9921)

Toro y Moi

It’s getting hard these days to remember that Chaz Bundick — aka Toro y Moi — started as a pioneer of the late-aughts “chillwave” movement. With the April-released What For?, it seems that the South Carolina native has progressed to party vibes. The shift works: What For? is a groovy, electrified fusion of R&B and rock, and it’s hard not to want to dance along.

Sunday, October 18, the Granada (1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence 785-842-1390)

Grace Potter

In August, Grace Potter — formerly of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals — released her debut solo album, Midnight. It’s a long walk away from her blues-rock sound with the Nocturnals. On Midnight, Potter seems determined to present herself as a — well, we’re not entirely sure. She careens around styles on the new album, touching down in funk (“Delirious”) and electric, drumbeat-driven power pop (“Alive Tonight”). There’s nothing that her muscular, dynamic voice can’t do, but the problem is that on Midnight, Potter seems to want to do it all.

Wednesday, October 21, Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway, 816-753-8665)