Crystal Castles (III)

Crystal Castles. Maybe you've heard of them... an electronic band featuring vocalist Alice Glass and producer Ethan Kath that sometimes sounds more like noise than music. But, unexpectedly, they have produced captivating work album after album, creating a fan base that reaches far beyond Canada, their country of origin.

"(III)," their third album, follows up an energetic, powerful sophomore album with an interesting new take on their band's underlying message, that the world is a disturbing, difficult place, but also that the pain and sorrow that comes with being in it may be beautiful.

The album reveals a more mature, more focused duo that hovers between a dream state and a shattering reality in singles like "Plague" and "Wrath of God." Crystal Castles' signature beat also comes through in "Affection," a song that gives listeners a glimpse into the ghostly, obscured world of Glass and Kath.

"(III)" fades in and out, angst-filled and reflective of Glass' statement that "it feels like the world is a dystopia where victims don't get justice and corruption prevails."