Purity Ring laid on the mystique early for Shrines. With the 2011 online release of three ubiquitous
singles- “Ungirthed”, “Lofticries”, and “Belispeak”- the level of buzz
surrounding the pop duo had reached an almost procedural level. Now, over a year later, comes the inevitable
release of Shrines and it’s a testament to the craftsmanship of Purity Ring
that this imminent hooplah somehow dodged any hint of anticlimax. Instead, here we are, with a thirty-eight
minute collection of sumptiously dazzling synthpop. In terms of sound, Grimes leaps immediately
to mind- as does Fever Ray, Austra, and countless other electronic brethren. If
the singles from 2011 set your world afire, Purity Ring only pours on the
gasoline with heavier doses of warped vocals, skittering percusssion and a now
signature sugar-laden synthetic edge. And while Shrines drapes comfortably
around those earlier tunes, it manages to expand the Purity Ring universe
without ever threatening to stray from their infectious first impression. That said- last summer, if “Ungirthed”, etc
left you cold, this offers almost nothing new in terms of sound- simply
variations, both relentless and irresistible, on the same overall theme.
An initial listen to Shrines reveals an alarming lyrical
depth, especially in juxtaposition with the coy innocence of Megan James’
vocals. “Sea water is flowing/ From the middle of my thighs” begins album
opener “Crawlersout” establishing Purity Ring’s niche for body imagery. This theme continues in the graphic
depictions within “Fineshrine” of an apparently intimate dissection- “Cut open my sternum/And pull my little ribs
around you.” The tracklist is full
of these lyrical Easter eggs and it’s nice to have this cushion when the album
occasionally ventures into redundancy.
Let’s face it- Purity Ring are obviously not trying to keep anyone off
balance here. The rhythms, lo-fi beat
drops, etc, while not overtly traditional, are familiar enough to become
predictable and Shrines has the strongest case of “the claps” of any record in
recent memory. But in lieu of surprises,
Purity Ring offers the listener an experience more akin to auditory cleansing
than any type of calculated formality.
Shrines is an inescapable album and the best response is to probably
just let it wash all over you- then, of course, listen to it again.
- Fr. Jones
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