Crumb continue to dazzle with eerie excellence on the hypnotic double helping ‘BNR’ & ‘Balloon’. 

Having become known for their disorientating, chameleonic approach, Crumb are a band who are impossible to pin down. Adopting characteristics from funk, bedroom pop, psych-rock, jazz, indie and trip hop to name a few, the Brooklyn based quartet are truly one of the most compelling and avant garde groups to burst onto the scene in the past five years.

With spectral, opaque vocals from lead singer Lila Ramani, the band create post-apocalyptic, strung out soundscapes brimming with psychedelic beauty, marrying perfectly with the ambiguous, often forlorn lyrical narration and imagery. After dropping their debut full length effort in 2019, ‘Jinx’, the band look set to continue their progression with this second release of 2021, following on from the subdued and gorgeous ‘Trophy’. This double offering sees the band utilising the ingredients that aided their rise to acclaim, but with even greater emphasis on surprising, unsettling and ultimately entertaining the listener. 

‘BNR’ is a dreamy, atmospheric potion of chorus laden electric guitar, rigid drums and light, cinematic production. Lila’s vocal feels more like an instrument, marinading in the sonic landscape, encompassed by the mellow and wistfully abnormal timbre. Each element of the mix is acute and dramatic until a hauntingly serene climax is reached, leaving the listener in a state of confused elation.

‘Balloon’ is an upbeat and captivating effort, with chromatic synth melodies catching a dance pop vibe. The drums give the track pace and rhythmic nuance and Lila offers up rich vocals and distinguished writing. The production is incredibly sharp and creative, with distorted, spacey instrumental components mixed saliently to establish a sound that is full of colour and richly textured.

As indie pop dies its slow death, the true innovators continue to adapt. Crumb are showing everyone else how to do it.