Prior to the announcement of their debut full-length, Shrines, Montreal-based electro-pop act Purity Ring generated tons of buzz through only three released songs. But for the duo comprised of vocalist Megan James and programmer/producer Corin Roddick, what they had in material proved to be enough, landing a record deal with 4AD/Last Gang Records to put forth their record on July 24th.
We’ve already heard the first single “Obedear” back in April and released a video for a re-worked “Belispeak.” Now they’ve released another single entitled “Fineshrine” (by now, you should’ve noticed that their song titles are portmanteaus derived from their lyrics). It’s a three-and-a-half-minute track full of electronic claps and thumping beats, while mysterious waves of synthesizers wash and flow along subtly in the background, provided by Roddick. He also does a great job at adding another layer of beats that he edits with stutter effects at the right moments, having them feel unforced and rather natural. At the forefront are James’ vocals, which are sung in a haunting-yet-playful manner as she details an idealized relationship (“you’d make a fine shrine to me/ you’d build a fine shrine to me”). But instead, her love is unrequited and describes grotesquely and morbidly how that makes her feel in the chorus: “get a little closer, let fold/cut open my sternum and pull/ my little ribs around you/though arms may be under, under you.”
Purity Ring continues to build anticipation towards the release date of their debut album by putting out consistently solid songs. “Fineshrine” is their best track so far, setting up Shrines to be an impressive debut.
MP3: Purity Ring – “Fineshrine”
Purity Ring’s debut album Shrines is out July 24th via 4AD/Last Gang.
