The Trip Out

Released in 2022, The Trip Out marks a significant point in The Crystal Method's evolution, continuing the project as a solo endeavor by Scott Kirkland following the retirement of Ken Jordan. The album serves as a bridge between the duo's foundational big beat legacy and contemporary electronic trends. It features a heavy emphasis on collaboration, bringing in artists like Danny Lohner, ReEKO, and VAVO to add layers of industrial grit and modern house sensibilities. Critically, the album was noted for its high production values and its ability to maintain the 'Crystal Method sound' - characterized by aggressive breakbeats and cinematic synths - while integrating more melodic, vocal-forward structures. It stands as a leaner, more focused record than some of their sprawling mid-career efforts, clocking in at eight tracks that prioritize impact over experimentation. It effectively reasserts the project's relevance in a landscape dominated by EDM and trap, proving that the breakbeat-heavy 'American big beat' sound still has room to grow.