Canadian art punk collective Crack Cloud deliver their most visceral work yet on their fourth album, *Red Mile*. Originally formed as a means for its founding members to process addiction and recovery, the band has evolved into a versatile creative outlet, seamlessly shifting styles and genres with each album. *Red Mile* is a hyper-charged record, brimming with nods to punk rock icons and a variety of other influences. The album comprises eight songs, each densely packed with layers of meaning, references, and influences.
“Blue Kite” merges synth pop keys, Cure-esque basslines, emotionally intense string arrangements reminiscent of early-2000s indie rock bands like Arcade Fire and the Decemberists, and vocals inspired by the Clash. This combination of seemingly contradictory sounds transitions from raw, untrained vocals to moody orchestral strings, culminating in a cinematic crescendo akin to Explosions in the Sky. “The Medium” channels the straightforward melodic presence of London Calling-era Clash, making it one of the album’s standout tracks. “Epitaph” blends punk vigor with a dark, ethereal, and synth-heavy instrumental backdrop. The album peaks with the final track, “Lost on the Red Mile,” a lingering, contemplative tune that gradually builds before settling into a mellow groove in its last quarter, offering a soothing conclusion to a spirited album. Red Mile is meticulously constructed, combining the polished sensibilities of bands like Broken Social Scene with raw, street-level punk anthems. The album oscillates between nostalgic juvenilia and meticulously crafted indie rock productions, ultimately embracing the joyful exploration of this incongruity as its core essence.
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