REVIEW

The 2025 EP from Hong Kong post-punk/shoegaze band The Crush.

Since forming in 2021, the band has drawn attention for blending the decadence of post-punk and darkwave with the immersive beauty of dream pop and shoegaze, culminating in their first Japan tour in 2024. The current lineup consists of Hin (guitar), Kuro (bass), Wilson (drums), and vocalist Tze long, who joined following the departure of former singer Camille. With Tze long’s decadent vocal delivery and more narrative-driven lyricism, the band pushes further into darker and more experimental territory.

#1 “House of Cards” centers on a post-punk foundation while dialing back the 4AD-esque ethereal romanticism of the previous release in favor of a more rhythm-oriented, physical sound. That evolution becomes even more pronounced on #2 “Urchin.” Erratic, high-speed drumming reminiscent of jazz and drum & bass collides with anxious, creaking guitars, a sinuously dark bassline, and restrained vocals. Siren-like horn passages appear throughout the track, heightening the sense of tension and unease, while the careful control of repetition and dynamics sustains a striking level of immersion. The sheer complexity of the ensemble makes its live reproduction especially intriguing. It stands as a defining statement of the band’s new chapter.

The following track, #3 “2224.exe,” continues the EP’s ominous atmosphere through a sprawling ten-minute composition. Amid bleak waves of guitar reverberation, its spoken-word passages unfold a story set in the year 2224, conjuring visions of a distant futuristic metropolis. The lyrics suggest that even in a society shaped by AI and VR, human connection still endures.

Closing the EP, #4 “Coven” returns to the dreamlike dream pop and shoegaze aesthetics of the band’s earlier work. Sweet melodies and subtly oriental textures dissolve into one another, leaving behind a beautiful afterglow that feels like light breaking through gaps in heavy clouds.

Incorporating experimental elements throughout, the EP deepens the band’s singular aesthetic through unconventional song structures and restless sonic exploration. Highly recommended for listeners drawn to dystopian and cyberpunk-inflected science fiction.