It’s been two and a half years since Crystal Castles released their sophomore album, and in that time it sounds like Ethan Kath and Alice Glass have matured a bit. Known for their arcade-like electronics and bratty punk rock mentality, the Toronto-based duo decided to simplify things a bit the third time around. Kath did away with his computer-centric producing, claiming everything from the instrumentation to the recording and production were created using analog technology for the band’s latest album,…

Since the first time I caught jangly surf-rock band Fort Lean live, about two years ago when I didn’t know anything about them up to now, they’ve really started to emerge as one of those aspiring bands in Brooklyn. Not only have they been more talked about, musically they’ve begun carving a more meaningful niche for themselves. Their first sold-out headlining show at Santos Party House this past CMJ was proof of both of those aspects paying off. Today marks…

Though Chad Valley’s electronic pop may fit more under the category of “indie” or “chillwave,” the outfit’s mastermind, Hugo Manuel, thinks of himself as a producer—in the hip-hop sense—and though he didn’t have any help on his first two EPs, he decided to try something different for his debut full-length, Young Hunger. Like his influences, Manuel wanted to create a collaborative album where he would hold the reins instrumentally and invite guest vocalists to sing on his tracks. Though the…

    Vocalist Mads Damsgaard Kristiansen and bassist Esben Valløe started making music under the moniker “Reptile Youth” in 2009, and though it took the duo three years to releases its debut record, it wasn’t because of a lack of focus. In the interim, the Denmark-based two-piece has been making a name for itself by touring the globe and along with memorable live performances. Even without an album to its name, the dance rock outfit was able to secure spots…