III (reissue) vinyl

Released in 2012, the Canadian electronic punks' third album marked a darker, more introspective turn for the duo. While their earlier records thrived on chaos and confrontation, III dives into a colder, more mournful landscape, channeling despair through glitchy synths and submerged vocals. The album opens with 'Plague', a storm of distorted beats and Alice Glass' haunted wails, immediately setting a bleaker tone. Tracks like 'Wrath of God' continue this suffocating atmosphere, layering harsh noise over mournful melodies in a way that feels both aggressive and fragile. Meanwhile, 'Sad Eyes' is full of catchiness amid the gloom, with a pulsing rhythm and almost danceable beat, though it's drenched in sorrow. 'Affection' is one of the most emotional tracks on the record, with shimmering synths and a distant, aching vocal performance that feels like reaching for something already lost. Closing track 'Child I Will Hurt You' strips things back even further, ending the album on a ghostly, minimalist note. III isn't an easy listen, but that's exactly its power. A harsh, beautiful collapse into darkness, not to mention Crystal Castles' most cohesive and affecting album.