North London doom-steppers ramp up the beats for sophomore electro carnal romp
8/10
Some 3 years ago, I misappropriated Creatures of Love's sound as being a bit 'Evanescence', a label that sent ripples of rage throughout their ranks. I think I've even mentioned 'dreampop' in another analogy - clearly I was wrong because their debut EP, issued in 2009/10 along with this 2012 follow-up, are poles apart, not only from each other but also a universe away from the goth-rockin' Americans.
EP number two "Boy Crimes" has been a while coming and shows a vast advancement in the trio's already unique sound. Gone are the literary references of old and in comes a harsher, darker and deep-and-dirty lyrical lasciviousness, coupled (literally) with icicle synths and jackhammer beats. Even when compared to their last material, such as the previous Barbatos single, they almost sound like a different group. Mercifully, they're not - singer Bonita still possesses a set of pipes powerful enough to ferment beer (if only she could) and the whole approach now evokes trepidation, a collective harbinger of threat.
Not that the five songs deal exclusively in scaring us witless - Sutra Sweat is basically about shagging, the sort of song Florence Welch or Bat For Lashes might do if they were keen to soundtrack an esoteric and erotic skin-flick, while EP highlight Voyeurs offers some lighter musical respite and the potential to be a single. It hasn't been as yet - instead, CoL chose the EP's closing track Vakkula, a relentless blizzard of intransigent synth-jabs and sternum-cracking percussion, not forgetting the singalong 'woah-woah' bits. It's an aces choice, but deserves to be at the front of this EP, methinks.
The other tracks include the short interlude IV, which sounds like the start of something promising until it annoyingly fades to black, and the (early) Dead Can Dance-esque opener Knossus, which slowly builds up into an orgasmic crescendo with McKinney's operatic tonsils transcending skyward and Willsher and Gardner's unrelenting motorik hurricane of sound weaving a trademark pretty melody. Nice. Or nasty, depending on your bent.
It's about time Creatures of Love were rewarded after their dalliances with The Joy Formidable (live support on their last tour), Rolo Tomassi and Enter Shikari (both have been recipients of CoL remixes), so make sure you commit yourself to Boy Crimes - it might just finance a future album-release.
To buy the EP, go to their Bandcamp page here For information on Creatures of Love live shows, head to Allgigs here
8/10
EP number two "Boy Crimes" has been a while coming and shows a vast advancement in the trio's already unique sound. Gone are the literary references of old and in comes a harsher, darker and deep-and-dirty lyrical lasciviousness, coupled (literally) with icicle synths and jackhammer beats. Even when compared to their last material, such as the previous Barbatos single, they almost sound like a different group. Mercifully, they're not - singer Bonita still possesses a set of pipes powerful enough to ferment beer (if only she could) and the whole approach now evokes trepidation, a collective harbinger of threat.
Not that the five songs deal exclusively in scaring us witless - Sutra Sweat is basically about shagging, the sort of song Florence Welch or Bat For Lashes might do if they were keen to soundtrack an esoteric and erotic skin-flick, while EP highlight Voyeurs offers some lighter musical respite and the potential to be a single. It hasn't been as yet - instead, CoL chose the EP's closing track Vakkula, a relentless blizzard of intransigent synth-jabs and sternum-cracking percussion, not forgetting the singalong 'woah-woah' bits. It's an aces choice, but deserves to be at the front of this EP, methinks.
The other tracks include the short interlude IV, which sounds like the start of something promising until it annoyingly fades to black, and the (early) Dead Can Dance-esque opener Knossus, which slowly builds up into an orgasmic crescendo with McKinney's operatic tonsils transcending skyward and Willsher and Gardner's unrelenting motorik hurricane of sound weaving a trademark pretty melody. Nice. Or nasty, depending on your bent.
It's about time Creatures of Love were rewarded after their dalliances with The Joy Formidable (live support on their last tour), Rolo Tomassi and Enter Shikari (both have been recipients of CoL remixes), so make sure you commit yourself to Boy Crimes - it might just finance a future album-release.
To buy the EP, go to their Bandcamp page here For information on Creatures of Love live shows, head to Allgigs here