Conquering the Sophomore Curse - Crast release 'Headspace' LP

 



Sophomore albums can make or break any band. The second album is a major hurdle that many talents fall short of clearing. But Barrie’s own Crast confidently traverse the curse with Headspace, a dominating and fuzz-laden follow-up that ends any skepticism about the longevity of this four-piece. 


Showcasing their characteristically explosive guitar riffs and unapologetically raw tone, the production and overall run of Headspace demonstrates healthy and dynamic growth without losing the essence of Crast. Blending elements of fuzzed out alternative, hard rock, psychedelic rock, and dabs of hardcore, Crast delivers 10 tracks that are unique and seamlessly cohesive as part of the whole album. 


Led by singles ‘Headlights’, ‘Best Face’, and ‘Plaster’, Headspace follows suit with each track boasting purposeful and provocative time changes that keep the listener engaged from front to back. The driving instrumentation acts as the perfect vehicle for lyrical content that is both vulnerable and empowering. The howling “Fuck” at the tail end of ‘Headlights’ is the perfect button that holds as much character and emotional exposition as Jeff Buckley’s sigh at the start of ‘Hallelujiah’. 


In a word, Headspace is kaleidoscopic. With just small shifts in their structure or tone, Crast creates a new listening experience that is less of a departure, and more of an expansive jam that echoes out from where the track (and album) started. Similarly, the album art perfectly represents the music associated with it. Like a slightly more unhinged Louis Wain painting from later in his career, the album art is a swirl of bold colours, harsh contours, and plagued with faces that range from menacing to languished. 


The only shame associated with the album is that it came too late in the year to make it onto my most played for 2024. Nevertheless, Headspace marks a significant stepping stone for a band that have made the leap from a solid debut to a sophomore album that proudly carries the Crast signature sound.


Stream Headspace on Spotify HERE.

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