Crystal Castles – “Concrete” (Singles Going Steady)

Chris Ingalls: Moving forward with Edith Frances replacing vocalist Alice Glass, Crystal Castles keep up with what they’ve been known for: loud, in-your-face sheets of electronic sounds and pounding beats. “Concrete”, from their upcoming fourth album, is a heavy, brash, slab of danceable doom-and-gloom. While they appear to be a forward-looking band, there are definitely nods to the past and “Concrete” seems to conjure up an unholy alliance of Ministry and the Cure. [7/10]

Pryor Stroud: Ethan Kath may be without vocalist Alice Glass, but he continues to refine the dark, seething goth-electro sound that first distinguished Crystal Castles from their synth-wielding peers. Featuring Kath’s new singer-counterpart Edith Frances, “Concrete” is more of a reckless, pedal-to-the-floor drive down a tunnel than a conventional composition: bouncing synth pulses ricochet back and forth between the track’s limits before an anarchic blast of noise, percussion, and drowned-out vocals booms and sends the track into overdrive. It’s unclear what’s at the end of this tunnel, but one thing is certain: you need to get to the other end as soon as possible. Insistent, anxious, and infused with both atmospheric nuance and unalloyed sonic intensity, “Concrete” further proves that Crystal Castles are still at the top of their game. [7/10]

Chad Miller: Really cool vocal effects and melody. There’s a powerful sense of urgency in the song. I do wish I could have understood even just a few words more clearly though. I also hoped for a stronger ending, but overall the song is very enjoyable, especially during the verses. [7/10]

SCORE: 7.00