Shrines by Purity Ring

‘Shrines’ is a euphoric treat in its own right, made all the more thrilling by its heady potential. 

Shrines often operates like a series of paintings, each of its pieces a variation on a theme, the full breadth of the artist’s vision only realized within the context of the whole.

Shrines is not about range, instead offering subtly different versions of a single, near-perfect idea.

Shrines is sure to solidify its fan base while not necessarily changing the minds of those that had written them off.

There are some moments on Shrines where Purity Ring falls back on some of witch-house’s less-lovely tendencies, but those moments are entirely forgivable, given the totality of vision and the strength of execution throughout the rest of the record.

Ignore the undertones of James' lyrics and you'll find an album that provides a fair few moments of pop brilliance.

Without compromising their rustic, Grimm fairytale undertone, they’ve turned in a chromed, hi-tech pop album.

Shrines isn’t trying to capitalize on some moment where rapid hi-hats and deep bass mix with dream-pop vocals; it manipulates two elements to make something malleable, elusive, sexual.

There is something so deft about this LP that you can’t help but feel that it is more than merely a by-product of its kooky genesis.

The record largely blurs together into a gloriously inscrutable haze, but certain songs resonate as sundry, singular experiences.

Purity Ring has crafted an album in Shrines that stands head and shoulders above the works of their peers.

Shrines isn't perfect, but it's a bold debut and one that hints of potential greatness to come.

Shrines holds skyward a handful of some of the finest offerings Planet Pop can muster in 2012, yet as an “album experience” it ultimately fails to merit a new religion.

" Let it seep through your sockets and ears Into your precious ruptured skull Let it seep let it keep you from us Patiently heal you Patiently unreel you " Purity Ring

Purity Ring has proved that they can deliver on a per song basis the same mystical cerebral techno vibe that's expected from them.

Love this album... squarely in my top 5 right now.