Follow / Swallow — Crystal Fighters

Follow / Swallow is a visceral snapshot of the early 2010s folktronica movement, but it trades the usual acoustic gentleness for a primal, rave-ready intensity.

The title track, 'Follow,' is a masterclass in rhythmic tension, utilizing the txalaparta (a traditional Basque percussion instrument) to create a staccato, wooden foundation that is suddenly overwhelmed by a massive, wobbling synth bass.

It feels like a ritual being performed in the middle of a warehouse party, blending the ancient and the digital with a reckless, joyful abandon.

Moments Worth Listening For

the sudden drop in Follow where the heavy, distorted synth bass first anchors the rapid wooden percussion

the overlapping vocal harmonies in the bridge of Follow that create the sensation of a large chanting crowd

the transition in Swallow from breathy, intimate verses to the more expansive and synth-driven chorus

Where This Album Departs

How does Follow / Swallow sound next to the rest of Crystal Fighters's catalogue?

This album stays in step with the catalogue across the board — no axis departs enough to be worth its own note. Hover the dots to see where each one sits.

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