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Review: Crystal Castles - Plague [Single]

Fiction Records // "If this is the plague, I want to be infected"

by Alex Taylor, July 28th, 2012 and has been Read 2046 times.
Last Edited by: Alex Taylor July 29th, 2012.

It must be a satisfying feeling for Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, seeing Crystal Castles not only mature, but also surpass expectation. Upon arrival in 2008, the duo fit the moment like a hand in a glove, or perhaps more appropriately, a lightning bolt in the storm of nu-rave colour, French beats and faux 90's drug culture.

Since then, those labelled as contemporaries (unfairly or otherwise) have fallen by the wayside - burnt out before their light could shine brightest. Remember The Klaxons' second album? Me neither. Crystal Castles, on the other hand, go from strength to strength.

2010's Crystal Castles (II), reached out beyond the brutal, electro - thrash confines of their debut. The 8-bit primitivism heard on 'Xxzxcuzx Me' was replaced by a wider pallete of sounds; efforts such as 'Celestica' and 'Intimate' being more house driven, instantly changing the mood to one of softer, if no less intense, euphoria.

Even 'Baptism' and to a lesser extent 'Doe Deer', two harder tracks, evidenced a more expansive, layered approach. This was no longer solely music intent to shoot on sight. No, it aimed to engulf, then kill. In short, Crystal Castles were getting to grips with their volatility, specifically how to control and manipulate it.

The context is important, because the newly released ‘Plague’ acts as the natural progression from all that has gone before. After being dangled tantalizingly in front of live audiences over the summer, a studio version was suddenly posted on Soundcloud a few days ago, with no prior warning or comment – not that you should expect any.

Listen // 'Plague'

http://soundcloud.com/crystal-castles/crystal-castles-plague

First and foremost, it is dark and very, very brooding. A sense of impending dread remains persistent throughout, thanks to ethereal broken synths and the menacing introductory sample of a booming klaxon, which either heralds the birth of some unknown creature, or the death knell for humanity.

Some claim this shift in direction leans toward witch house territory. Whether ‘Plague’ fits the conventions of this loose genre is up for debate, but it is certainly an apt term for the possessive nature of the beat. Alice’s vocals begin submerged under thick reverb, desperately trying to break free. Though they sharpen, they never escape. She’s caught in a bubble, sounding more haunting than ever because her vocals are melded to the entirety of the piece rather than a distinct component.

Three quarters of the way through, the klaxon re-emerges to stifle the beat. Yet, just as you think that signals the end, she returns, swirling and echoing like never before through the final verse:

'I need you pure, need you clean
I am the Plague
I am the Plague’

Is it pain? Is it ecstasy? Who knows, but I can’t stop listening. Infect me now.

Crystal Castles' third album is set for release this September