Four years have passed since we heard the last collaboration between Antipole and Paris Alexander, the fantastic Radial Glare. Since then they have been quiete busy, Antipole recording an album with Kill Shelter which we reviewed back in the day and doing several collaborations and Paris Alexander releasing his first album, accompanied by his inseparable Eirene.. In Crystaline we can see how the years and the experience have been good for the duo/trio, although this time we only hear Eirene’s voice in “Marble” and, possibly, that is what we miss the most in this album.
The new album starts with “Perceptions” and it starts with some keyboards, we soon find again the great chemistry between Antipole‘s atmospheric guitar and Paris Alexander‘s deep voice. The album opener is a curious composition with a catchy dance beat and a couple of strategically placed stops. In “Nighshade” we find again that Antipole has a more than characteristic guitar sound while Paris Alexander reminds us of late Bowie, in that deep way of singing. It also has a beautiful chorus.
“Bleached” is one of the best tracks on the album, intense and sensual, again with something of Bowie in Paris Alexander‘s singing. “Disjointed” is a sad, more melancholic and evocative track, also one of the highlights of this Crystalline. “Midnight Shadow” is a danceable track where the lively synthesizers contrast with the whispers and passionate singing. “Marble” sounds more luminous and dreamy, a bit like a more upbeat The Cure with backing vocals from Eirene. “Infractions” also has a danceable feel to it, although Paris Alexander adds melancholy with his performance. The album comes to an end with “Sentiments”, which with its chorus that says “We will dance again” seems like a post-pandemic anthem. Let’s hope they don’t take too long to record the follow-up to this magnificent album.
