Purity Ring – Another Eternity (4AD; 2015)
Edmonton pop duo, Purity Ring, have released, Another Eternity, the follow up to their acclaimed debut album, Shrines (2012). Not surprisingly, Megan James’ vocals are strong and clear, her soothing, sweet voice singing of heartbreak and anguish. However, any expectations of innovative, genre-defying pop songs were dashed upon the first listen. Another Eternity is simply put, another electro-pop album. Most of the album sounds as though it was remixed to be more appropriate for clubbing, with repetitive beats and continuous layering of synth samples. Though songs like “Bodyache” and “Repetition” have catchy choruses, their overall sound mimics what every pop musician who wants to be played on Top 40 radio is striving for today. This is disappointing for a band who emerged with slick, sharp, and sinister pop songs like “Lofticries” from Shrines. While Purity Ring have evidently joined the auto-tune, club mix bandwagon, there is still hope for the future and the possibility that this album will not dictate their future sound.
Trial Track: “Stranger Than Earth”
4/10
