Lies Records/Last Gang Records

It isn’t odd that a pair of young Toronto hipsters decided to name themselves after She-Ra’s fortress and set out to create the sound of the future — but it is odd that they succeeded. You’ll fail trying to label them nu-rave or mark them off as a contributor to the eight-bit scene; a close listen to Crystal Castles’ self-titled debut reveals a varied and audacious collection of conflicted and creepy electronic songs. Created by a multi-instrumentalist possessed by Sega and a female voice that assaults with chants and static shouts, Crystal Castles have made it to the next level.