Dark, unabashed and intent on making you move, it’s easy to instantly determine how you feel about Crystal Castles.
(III) fittingly marks the third release for the Canadian duo and it maintains the pulsating lo-fi intensity that succeeded in establishing their name in experimental electronica.
Crystal Castles is producer Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. The music they create is generally suited to losing your mind at a festival or club, as hard to distinguish lyrics are teamed against violent beats and jumping synths that are set to entrance you.
The duo’s latest offering runs to a similar formula.
Kath’s staggered synths are no more abundant than during ‘Insulin’, a jolty two-minute tumble through flickering electronics and Glass’ shrieking vocals.
To put it simply, no one would blame you if you mistakenly thought your speakers had malfunctioned.
Underlying tones of the more classic dance persuasion can be found in ‘Sad Eyes’ and ‘Affection’, whilst ‘Child, I Will Hurt You’ marks a less aurally-confronting moment that softly concludes the record.
Love Electronic?
Get the latest Electronic news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
After absorbing the 12-track album in its entirety, it comes as a surprise that the record turns out to be suitable background noise on a dull day.
(III) is an impressive mess of noise yet it seems to be lacking a real standout hit.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes these musicians seemingly more relevant than other dance acts, whether it be Glass’ mesmerising vocals or Kath’s dirty production work, there is definitely something.
If you’ve heard and liked at least one track on this record you’ll likely enjoy them all.
