Richard Brabin

Chastity Belt – I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone

Soft and subtle, warm and whimsical, Chastity Belt are a plucky little three piece that evoke the nostalgic summer days of Real Estate with the uncomplicated artiness of Yo La Tengo, always finding charming conclusions in amongst quiet rebellions. Their third studio album, I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone, is no different to their previous offerings and encapsulates their dream pop mantra if not necessarily raising any eyebrows.

Tracks such as Caught in a Lie have such a sumptuous tone and delicate technique that the simplicity is quite delightful and sits perfectly with reverberated and delay soaked lyrics. However the subject matter can be challenging, giving Chastity Belt a right to flaunt such an antagonistic namesake. There probably isn’t enough variance to hold the attention for too long a period of time, indeed there is a formulaic and at times tired structure to all their work, but in terms of mists of mellow fruitfulness, it certainly contains a poignancy which refuses to dissipate throughout. This is certainly an album worth dipping tired toes into after a long day scurrying through our postmodern existence.

3.5 / 5