Canadian electronic duo MSTRKRFT recently released a new single “Priceless”, and its accompanying video. The track features Sonny Kay of The VSS, and will appear on the group’s upcoming album, Operator.
“Priceless” features Kay’s designedly rudimentary punk vocals over blaring 808 bass lines and stark synths. Drum cymbals clash in the track’s background, augmenting its already chaotic tone. Although “Priceless’” tempo shifts periodically, it is surprisingly devoid of any classically heavy drops.
The single’s lyric video reflects MSTRKRFT’s intended anti-establishment rhetoric, employing pulsating World War II imagery shot in black and white. The duo said through press release that they attempted to ground their video in traditional punk imagery.
“The lyric video takes on the form of distorted images brought together to reflect seamlessly the chaotic nature of a track rooted in punk tonnage,” the press release reads. “Entirely in black and white, with combat references, the video effectively brings together the aesthetics of electronic music meeting punk.”
Operator will be MSTRKRFT’s third formally released LP, and their first full length in seven years. Nylon’s Dani Deahl issued the following statement regarding the album.
“As an album, Operator is jarringly different from MSTRKRFT’s other releases,” Deahl said. “It’s dark, industrial, and post-punk with elements of electro mixed in, lending a dystopian feel to a very raw soundscape. ”
MSTRKRFT’s last release, 2009’s Fist of God, received mixed critical reception. Since its release, Jesse F. Keeler has released an album with Death From Above 1979, while Al-P has remained relatively quiet musically.