Alice Glass – “MERCY KILL”

The queen of electronic pandemonium returns. Last we heard from harrowing electro-hardcore musician Alice Glass was the one-off single "CATCH AND RELEASE" from earlier this year. It was a track that sounded closer to her Crystal Castles days with darting, overly caffeinated percussion and a playful video game-adjacent melody. Today, she's back with another single "MERCY KILL" that's a bit more focused on convoluted noise (non-derogatory).

It's nearly impossible to decipher what Glass is screaming during "MERCY KILL." The track sounds like an electroclash take on what TV static would be dancing to at an underground party on K. There's demonic vocals, crackles of skittering percussion, and pearlescent synths. Although that sounds overwhelming, "MERCY KILL" isn't a non-stop onslaught of chaos.There are brief periods relief where the pandemonium falls away. That tried balance makes it easier to get through a few consecutive listens.

"MERCY KILL" comes with a visual by directed by Yulia Shur, which showcases Glass in some fabulous gothic Victorian fashion. It was filmed on on 16mm and treated with corrosive chemicals, perverting the original footage with eerie, striking effects. No digital touches here! To that I say: Let's fucking go — AI can fuck right off!

Watch the video for "MERCY KILL" below.