Crystal Castles At Field Day Festival

Anyone who has seen Crystal Castles live will know what we mean when we use the word ‘chaos’ to describe a performance by the Canadian two-piece. Crystal Castles’ style cannot really be put in words because it is so unique. Certainly the early material is influenced by rave and electronic music, but it almost always has an angry punk underlining to it, largely thanks to glass’s in-yer-face delivery.

Don’t listen to Crystal Castles’ debut album – Crystal Castles (2008) – with a headache or a hangover. On its first listening it might overpower you with its crazy keyboards and irregular rhythms, but stick with it and you’ll soon understand why the NME gave it the ‘Best Debut Album of the Year’ award.

Released in 2010, the duo’s second album – confusingly also called Crystal Castles – builds on the raw, aggressive sound created on the debut, but also adds slightly more structure and melody to proceedings, making an altogether more manageable listen.

CC’s music is best summed up by journalist Will Creeley; “Crystal Castles makes electronic music that sounds like dial-up modems making out.” Fairly unique genre that one…

Catch Crystal Castles at Field Day on New Years Day.

By Anthony Cody