Crystal Vision
| Crystal Vision | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 April 2023 | |||
| Genre | Electronic[1] | |||
| Length | 57:19 | |||
| Label | Cambria Instruments | |||
| Producer | Nathan Fake | |||
| Nathan Fake chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Crystal Vision | ||||
Crystal Vision is the sixth studio album by English electronic musician Nathan Fake. It was released on 7 April 2023 through Cambria Instruments, Fake's own label co-founded with Wesley Matsell.[2] The album features collaborations with Clark and Wizard Apprentice, and was preceded by the singles "The Grass" and "Vimana".[4] Crystal Vision received generally positive reviews from music critics.[1][5]
Background
[edit]Following his fifth album Blizzards (2020), which was largely recorded live in one take, Fake took a different approach for Crystal Vision, aiming for a more refined and accessible sound.[6] He described the album as "music for music's sake – recorded without angles, agendas and themes".[7] The album title unintentionally echoes Fleetwood Mac; Fake attributed this to a subconscious influence from his father singing their lyrics during his childhood, noting that his debut album Drowning in a Sea of Love had similarly echoed one of the band's songs.[6]
Fake built several tracks around specific creative constraints. "Boss Core" was constructed using sounds from a Boss DR-550 drum machine, challenging himself to make the rudimentary sounds compelling.[7] "AMEN 96" was an experiment in reworking the amen break, a staple of jungle and drum and bass.[7][1] The collaboration with Wizard Apprentice on "The Grass" came about after Fake heard their track "I Am Invisible".[2] The closing track "Outsider" features Clark.[7]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10[1] |
| musicOMH |   [8] |
Crystal Vision received generally positive reviews from music critics. Philip Sherburne of Pitchfork gave the album a 7.6, writing that while Fake pays direct homage to his inspirations, the results maintain his distinctive sound.[1] James Sherwood of The Quietus described the album as a love letter to Fake's musical roots, praising its sense of community and connectedness.[5] Inverted Audio called it a "return to form", noting its purposeful direction and playful approach to genre.[9] Ben Hogwood of Arcana called it a formidable addition to Fake's discography, praising its bold colours and rewarding energy.[10] Ben Devlin of musicOMH gave a more mixed assessment, praising tracks such as "AMEN 96" and the title track but finding that some of the album's nostalgia-driven approach occasionally faltered.[8]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Arrival" | 0:53 |
| 2. | "The Grass" (feat. Wizard Apprentice) | 6:16 |
| 3. | "Vimana" | 5:10 |
| 4. | "Boss Core" | 7:19 |
| 5. | "Crystal Vision" | 6:50 |
| 6. | "CMD" | 3:14 |
| 7. | "Bibled" | 8:01 |
| 8. | "Hawk" | 6:31 |
| 9. | "AMEN 96" | 5:24 |
| 10. | "Outsider" (feat. Clark) | 7:41 |
Personnel
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 Sherburne, Philip (12 April 2023). "Nathan Fake: Crystal Vision". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Nathan Fake Announces New Album 'Crystal Vision'". Clash. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ↑ "Nathan Fake Shares New Track 'Vimana'". Clash. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ↑ "Nathan Fake's new album, Crystal Vision, features Clark, Wizard Apprentice". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- 1 2 Sherwood, James (4 May 2023). "Nathan Fake — Crystal Vision". The Quietus. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- 1 2 "A Few Minutes With Nathan Fake". Roland. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Track By Track: Nathan Fake – Crystal Vision". The Ransom Note. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- 1 2 Devlin, Ben (7 April 2023). "Nathan Fake – Crystal Vision". musicOMH. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ↑ McMahon, Jonathan (31 March 2023). "Review: Nathan Fake: Crystal Vision". Inverted Audio. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ↑ Hogwood, Ben (14 April 2023). "Nathan Fake: Crystal Vision". Arcana. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Crystal Vision". Nathan Fake. Retrieved 22 February 2026.