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Crystal Castles: Unpredictable Debut Defies Genre
31 Aug
Summary
- Debut LP samples diverse tracks from DFA 1979 and features Atari-laced keyboards.
- Album navigates genres from electroclash to shoegaze, defying easy categorization.
- The duo's name, inspired by a She-Ra playset, reflects their unpredictable style.

Crystal Castles' debut album defies easy genre classification, offering a diverse and unpredictable listening experience. The lead track samples DFA 1979, featuring chopped vocals and synth loops, while subsequent songs like "Alice Practice" deliver intense barking and Atari-laced keyboards. The album traverses various sounds, including influences reminiscent of Last Exit and Ed Banger.
Further exploration of the LP reveals tracks like "Good Time" with its varied octaves and unique vocals, and "Courtship Dating" characterized by fizzy synths and drum clicks. The collaboration "Crimewave" with HEALTH builds from electroclash to a clattering mix. The album concludes with surprising shifts, including the nu-rave-esque "Black Panther" and a quiet shoegaze comedown on acoustic guitar with "Tell Me What to Swallow."
The duo's name, taken from a She-Ra playset, aptly reflects their unpredictable musical approach. This unpredictability is a recurring theme throughout the record, making it a challenging yet rewarding listen that embraces sonic exploration and unexpected turns.