It’s not long since we were admiring New Look, the Toronto couple with a line in fragile songs and crisp electronic beats – and Purity Ring are effectively their Montreal equivalents. Here the beats are bigger and bolder, though, the songs delivered with greater surety – but there is still a vulnerable side directly underneath Megan James’ frosted vocals. The textures are lovely, particularly the gorgeous harp that melts the heart towards the end of ‘Grandloves’, which features Young Magic. The lyrics are curiously off beat at times, bringing brief reminders of Dubstar, while ‘Shuck’ unexpectedly sounds like a slowed down version of Berlin’s ‘Take My Breath Away’ – yes really! However the big room R&B beats and the intimacy of the vocal make this a rather special combination, crackling with atmosphere the whole way through.
5 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
