Alice Glass, recently solo since her departure from Crystal Castles, has released her first single called Stillbirth.
The very intense single details Glass’ very own struggle with an abusive partner. All proceeds from the digital sales of the single going to organisations like RAINN that help survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and incest.
Written by Glass and HEALTH’s Jupiter Keyes in their basement, and co-produced and mixed by Lars Stalfors, (The Mars Volta, Matt & Kim, and Cold War Kids), the song is a cacophony of screaming synths and earsplitting vocals.
In a lengthy statement posted on Facebook alongside the single, Glass states:
Years ago I began the process of trying to remove myself from an abusive relationship that started when I was a teenager. Over the course of that relationship I was systematically cut off from anyone and everyone that I could truly be close to. I was talked down to, yelled at, locked into rooms and criticized daily about my abilities, my weight, my looks, my intelligence and almost every move I made. When I couldn’t take it anymore and I wanted to end the relationship I was threatened, then I was told I was loved, and the cycle would begin again.
I want young women and young men to understand that this kind of treatment of others can happen where it might be least expected. Even in environments that thrive on creativity and open-mindedness, that advocate artistic and counter-culture ideals. Sometimes people will use these things to camouflage themselves so that their abuse might go unnoticed. So that you wouldn’t think to consider it could be happening right in front of you.
The clarity I’ve gained since getting out of that situation has opened up my life in a way that I didn’t imagine was possible. Although some of the pain and anger still lingers, my life finally feels as though it has value and meaning. I speak out now hoping that I can encourage other young women and young men to affirm their value within their relationships or get out. Abuse isn’t always obvious and it doesn’t have to involve black eyes, blood and broken bones. Emotional and psychological abuse can be just as damaging, and it is extremely difficult to remove yourself from.
Those that have known me throughout my career might be surprised that someone who publicly gave the impression of being fearless and seemed as though they didn’t take shit from anyone could find themselves being severely mistreated and manipulated by someone they were close to. This person nearly stripped me of myself. And for years I felt as though they were waiting for my life to end.
Stillbirth was written by myself and Jupiter Keyes in our basement. There is no label involved. It will be available through iTunes, Spotify, etc. beginning July 18. All proceeds for digital purchases of this song will benefit organizations (like the nonprofit RAINN) that help survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and incest. You can donate directly to them at https://donate.rainn.org or via the link on my website at http://www.alice-glass.com/
There is a sister song to Stillbirth that I hope to release soon, she is a lullaby and she can’t wait to meet you
If the last line is anything to go by, Glass will put out some more material hopefully sometime soon. It’s the Toronto native’s first release since Crystal Castles’ third LP (III) in 2012.
Having left Crystal Castles last October, Glass released the following explanation on twitter about her decision to leave: “I am leaving Crystal Castles. My art and my self-expression in any form has always been an attempt towards sincerity, honesty, and empathy for others. For a multitude of reasons both professional and personal I no longer feel that this is possible within [Crystal Castles]. Although this is the end of the band, I hope my fans will embrace me as a solo artist in the same way they have embraced Crystal Castles.”
Her decision to leave meant that her and fellow ex-bandmate Ethan Kath did not exactly part on the best terms. After releasing his first song Frail without Glass under the moniker Crystal Castles, Kath went on to not too subtly deride his former bandmate: “I wish my former vocalist the best of luck in her future endeavours… It should be rewarding for her considering she didn’t appear on Crystal Castles’ best known songs.”
The message was deleted, but not before Glass retaliated with a diatribe of her own: “For the record, I wrote almost all of the lyrics in my former band and the vast majority of the vocal melodies… manipulative statements about my contributions to the band only reinforce the decision I made to move on to other things.”
Ouch.
Meanwhile, have a listen to Crystal Castles latest offering without the mysterious Glass and see if it’s still up to their trademark brand of dark, disenchanted electronica.