Doom pop trio The Criminal World from Portland now have a debut cassette available through Cercle Social Records! The Pure Vory cassette features three tracks from their upcoming LP as well as a bonus track exclusive to the cassette itself (which features some incredibly beautiful art). The trio consists of synth player Nicole Colbath, and Soft Kill members Tobias Sinclair and Conrad Vollmer both on simultaneous guitar and split vocals.
Pure Vory Cassette as featured on The Criminal World’s Bandcamp.
The cassette really couldn’t have been released at a better time – the same week Portland is finally back to its usual rainy self. Summer is finally coming to a close, and The Criminal World are here to remind us! The band has an ethereal sound with heavy postpunk and darkwave elements. They give off a light atmosphere while maintaining gloom; I would liken them to Cocteau Twins, early Cure, Lowlife, Asylum Party, and New Order. They evoke imagery of sad waves in the oceans of overcast beaches, something Portland natives are very familiar with.
The cassette opens with “Seeing Double,” an upbeat song with flowing guitar and deep, melancholy vocals that echo, giving the track depth as though there are no walls surrounding you. Between the vocals, the guitars ripple beautifully throughout the track under atmospheric synths, putting you into a hypnotic trance. Suddenly, aside from waves of only one spiraling guitar, the rest of the music stops. The guitar swirls fantastically, finishing off the track and awakening you from your daze.
The second track, “Lost Hills,” is much less upbeat and more postpunk heavy. The vocals are more neutral, but combined with the minor feel of the guitars, it manages to be just as gloomy. “Paper,” the third track, almost completely opposes “Seeing Double” while maintaining a dreamy atmosphere. This one is very darkwave heavy and finishes out with ghostly vocals. The final track, “Human Pillar,” is more downtempo than the other songs. It really finishes the cassette off well. If you restart it, you realize what a trip you’ve taken!
The Criminal World’s LP will be released on Funeral Party Records. Their first show is being hosted by Soundcontrol PDX at The Raven on Wednesday, October 12th at 9pm. They will be supporting Street Sects who are touring from Austin, TX along with V A C A N T S T A R E S. If you’re in the area, come out and enjoy the music!
More fantastic art posted by The Criminal World on their Facebook.
