Critiques CD: Crystal Castles | Crystal Castles

This unhinged Toronto electro-punk duo hasn’t exactly carved out an honour roll rep since it took the glitchy dance world by storm two years ago, with its subversive noise meanderings. Many were hoping for an abysmal tanking with this sophomore effort, but it’s in actuality a wonderfully crafted, surprisingly cohesive disc that alternates between moments of abrasive, nihilistic shrieking (“Doe Deer”) and soothing, ethereal beauty (“Empathy”). The album opener “Fainting Spells” sets an apocalyptic tone to the proceedings that’s sustained throughout, from singer Alice Glass’ digitally garbled rumblings over strobing synth lines on rave banger “Baptism” to the darkly beautiful and gloomy “Celestica”. Totally engrossing.