When Crystal Castles staggered onto the music scene with their debut in 2008, one of their most captivating qualities was the bipolar nature of their music. A danceable eight-bit sensibility framed their songs collectively, but individually, they leaned toward either melodic chip-tune pop or screechy electro-punk. With their third self-titled release, labeled (III) for practicality’s sake, the duo consolidate their contrasting moods into a streamlined sound in order to reach a happy (read: gloomy) medium.
This sonic evolution is likely related to songwriter/producer Ethan Kath’s claim that (III) is their first release without the use of laptop-generated sounds in their music. Instead, Kath and crew used various synths to produce pulsating walls of electronic sound that converge in a series of otherworldly trance tracks. Together, these songs form the group’s darkest yet most club-oriented material to date.
“Wrath of God” is the album’s prime standout track. A soft and airy intro gives way to a refrain of throbbing, nightmarish dream-pop. As with the rest of the album, the vocals of singer Alice Glass are distraught yet powerful — however, they’re so heavily drenched in echo and other effects that it sounds like Glass is shrieking them from across the Grand Canyon. While this renders her lyrics even more unintelligible than usual, under Kath’s production, her voice is effectively turned into an instrument, summoning emotive resonance from the sounds of her words instead of their meanings.
Despite the turn for uncharacteristically polished electro, fans will be heartened by “Insulin,” which continues the speaker blowout-inducing tradition of previous tracks like “Doe Deer” and “Alice Practice.” Along with album art (a snapshot from the 2011 Yemeni revolution) and lyrical/titular themes highlighting their vague social consciousness, Kath’s churning melodies pair with Glass’ manic vocals as aptly as ever in this revamped take on Crystal Castles’ unique brand of rave-punk.
Contact Erk at [email protected]
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