Crystal Castles
Amnesty (I)
This site has remained dormant for a while, but if there's anything that can wake the sleeping giant, it is the ear-shattering, glitch perfection that is Crystal Castles. Sure, it's not the same CC we're all used to hearing (the high-profile, and contentious split between Ethan Kath and original singer Alice Glass was...let's just call it misanthropic at best), but this new version is as loud, dark, and ready to strobe your earballs as ever before.
The sounds have continued to evolve since (III), which itself was a very different sound for the band, specifically in that they ditched their usual 8-bit instruments for a more Lynchian approach. So does Amnesty (I) eschew the old formulas and create new--a new sound for a new band.
As for the new singer, Edith Frances, she picks up where Glass left off admirably. I'm not saying you won't notice the difference; each vocalist has her own style and delivery; but Frances' fits nicely into the space the new sound carves out.
The mysteries of how Crystal Castles get their sound are probably best left unsolved. Many of the songs from this album clearly come from depths beyond human comprehension, but not only does that make for compelling listening, it proves their willing to go to any lengths to advance their art. Crystal Castles' past is not without some seriously harsh turmoil, but if there's anyone who can take your mind off Frank Ocean's constant dicking around, it's these veterans of sonic wars.
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