Audio Hype: Purity Ring

Before you dismiss Purity Ring as another disposable electronic act trying to ride the electro-hype wave, give their song “Lofticries” a listen.

Meshing precisely crafted trap-style drum beats with subtly enveloping bass lines and detuned vocal samples, producer Corin Roddick creates a massively ominous backdrop for Megan James’ ethereal vocals. While many of the songs sound fairly similar at first listen, the entrancing soundscape keeps you hooked throughout. Even though Roddick uses low frequency bass oscillations and dreamscape synths, the outcome is a far cry from dubstep, yet too distinct to be slapped with the dirty label “chill wave.”

After leaking a few suspense building tracks onto Youtube in 2011, the group took their time releasing the full-length album Shrines in 2012. Their twisted take on electronic music vaulted them to fifth place on hypemachine’s top artists list of 2012. Their mostly sold-out tour speaks to their rising popularity as well. Yes, this means the hip Austinites quickly bought up the tickets for the Jan. 22 show at Mohawk, but you can always try Craigslist or the sidewalk outside Mohawk as a last minute option. This band is sure to build on their current success so this will not be your last chance to see them, you’ll just have to be quicker to snag tickets if you were too late this time around.