Review: Kid Kruschev by Sleigh Bells

When I reviewed Jessica Rabbit, Sleigh Bells’ most recent full-length, I thought they were getting close to a more cohesive sound, one less reliant on their reputation for harsh juxtapositions. It looks like they got there, or really close to it, with Kid Kruschev. Or perhaps it’s because they decided to forego a full-length; this EP runs only seven tracks and a slim 21 minutes, and that somehow works wonders in distilling the duo’s sound. Or perhaps it’s because their sound only works in small doses? That’s unfair – again, they’ve been moving towards this direction. And Kid Kruschev‘s decisions – particularly to make their trademark juxtapositions in a different way, perhaps a more harmonious way, like clashing those harsh guitars with glowing 80s-esque piano – work towards that end. You know it’s still a Sleigh Bells record – Alexis Krauss still sounds so potent – but at the same time it feels mellow, if not quiet. But a quiet record this isn’t. Just listen to the lyrics – it manages to feel more visceral, more, well, disquieting. A different attack, then. [NB] | 4/5