Nature Noir proves that Crystal Stilts aren't a one-trick band and it gives anyone who's been a fan up to this point an extremely compelling reason to follow them as they grow.
The darkness has descended on this Brooklyn quintet. It’s intimidating at first, but once your eyes acclimatise, you’ll relish joining them in the shadows.
The post-punk sound is always there, but their ability to take you somewhere else into other territory is why I find them a joy to listen to.
It's also the sound of a band retaining the best of their identity: sharp melodies, steady drum fills and discordant synth still all underpin Brad's sleepy, monotonic vocals
Nature Noir is nothing if not a well-crafted, whip-smart record, but it leaves me yearning for the days when the Stilts would put passion into trying to find the pulse.
Perhaps chalking up Nature Noir as a transitional album is the most accurate way to describe it, as the band presents a few contradictory facets to their sound and identity across the 10 tunes, without settling on any one in particular.
Despite only lasting 34 minutes it’s quite a difficult listen from start to finish, but within the right mood it can also be a rewarding one
There are a few genuine gems on the record, but you have to dig around for them amongst a lot of tracks that meander about, exulting in their own nostalgia without really going anywhere.
Doesn’t hit quite like the other two LP’s but we do get some vintage stilts magic on here. It’s been a long five years since this dropped, would love another one from this band real bad.
#44 | / | The Fly |