Crystal Castles to tour with third album

Crystal Castles formed in 2003, and already have a reputation to live up to. Their 2008 self-titled debut made NME’s top debut albums of the decade and quickly earned them a cult following. The critically acclaimed IIalbum came soon after, ensuring their third album release and UK tour dates this November are hotly anticipated.

Their new album, with confirmed single release Plague (available to listen for free on Soundcloud), is set to follow their winning streak of critical acclaim, with similarly addictive beats and hypnotic melodies garnering explosive live performances. Playing at this year’s Leeds and Reading Festivals, Crystal Castles also debuted Wrath of God, another track off their upcoming album, and satisfied fans with a rapturous performance of their most commercially successful song release to date, Not in Love featuring Robert Smith of The Cure.

Perhaps hoping to set this album stylistically apart from its predecessors, there is a noticeably darker tone to their new work. Lyricist and vocalist Alice Glass stating that “Oppression is a theme, in general… A lot of bad things have happened to people close to me since II and it’s profoundly influenced my writing,” and producer Ethan Kath wanting “the new album to sound like a completely different and new experience,” is likely to peak fans’ interest in what seems to be a change from their previously effortless pop-inspired and melodic hooks.

Having a glance at their videos, it’s clear that this duo is the new face of electronic and experimental music. The engaging live performances and enthused fan base (both watching their performances and obsessively commenting on their YouTube channel) ensure an enjoyable listening and live experience to hard-core fans and new-comers alike.  It may be perhaps an understatement to say that their audiences are “enthused,” however. Their addictive music inspires chaotic live performances both from them and their audience (making their highlights of Reading Festival available on BBC music great viewing.) These shows won’t be for the faint-hearted, remain-standing-at-the-back kind of music fan. Get your raving gear and purple wig out.

Clare McCraith

Tickets and tour date information available here.

Listen to Plague by Crystal Castles here: