Much like their helium-voiced brethren, Passion Pit, the influence of Albertan duo Purity Ring has spread its tendrils far and wide since the release of debut album Shrines in 2012.
Not least of these is tonight’s support act, Canadian pop experimentalists Born Gold, who see singer Cecil Frena vogue fiercely and leap around the stage, while his multi-instrumentalist partner flits between guitar, percussion, synth and samples.
Their heavily processed maximalism has touches of Crystal Castles or Grimes collaborator Blood Diamonds, but it’s when they stray away from EDM-inspired breakdowns that they’re at their best.
‘Who We Are’ is a camp, disco-tinged romp, while ‘Hyphen’ is described by Frena as “straight up eighties power ballad shit”.
It’s not exactly Foreigner, but with a slow build and roof-shaking chorus, it’s easy to see it belting out from a yacht somewhere as the singer louchely pours himself another glass of champagne.
Through a forest of dangling lights Corin Roddick and Megan James take to the stage for an hour long set that draws heavily on new album, Another Eternity.
Since Shrines catapulted them to Best New Music status and a place on the US album charts, the signature Purity Ring sounds – widescreen synth washes, pounding rhythms and warped vocals – has shown up everywhere from Angel Haze to CHVRCHES, but the recent follow-up has seen them fully embrace club pop.
The breakdowns on the likes of ‘Push Pull’ would probably not be too out of place on an Avicii track, though you’d be hard pressed to get many of the plaid and wayfarer clad audience to admit that.
Another Eternity continues their debut’s obsession with body parts and the transience and fragility of existence on singles like ‘Bodyache’ and ‘Begin Again,’ but the stabs at “contemporary” beat making are less successful, integrating James’ vocals less seamlessly than their first album counterparts.
An impressive light show masks some of the weaker song craft, but it’s hard to deny that tracks like ‘Fineshrine’ and ‘Lofticries’ are more dynamic than the sophomore tracks.
The best song from Another Eternity is ‘Flood on the Floor’, which rings an aggressive, almost industrial breakdown from Roddick, as bright strobes flicker over one of James’ most compelling vocals.
Leaving without an encore, the audience applaud politely, but while Purity Ring offer a feast for the eyes, they don’t always manage to move your feet.
Words: Max Sefton
Photos: Jayjay Robertson
