Shrines by Purity Ring

Shrines is the debut studio album by Canadian electronic band Purity Ring, which was released through 4AD and Last Gang Records on July 20, 2012. Purity Ring recorded the album separately at home over several months, sending their parts via email. Shrines has been described as an electropop, synth-pop and dream pop album, incorporating hip hop inspired production and "striking" lyrics. It was produced by Purity Ring, with additional production by Jon Hopkins. The album, which was recorded following two acclaimed singles by vocalist Megan James and producer Corin Roddick, has been described as "personal" and deals with themes of self empowerment and love using graphic, "gory" imagery. To promote Shrines, Purity Ring released the promotional single "Obedear", followed by two singles "Belispeak" and "Fineshrine" to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number 32 on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart. It has sold 90,000 copies in the US as of February 2015. The album received positive reviews from most critics, many of whom praised its contrast between slick pop production and graphic lyrics. It appeared on several year-end critics' lists, and was nominated for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize. Pitchfork retrospectively described Shrines as "a definitive time capsule for the sound of 2012 (and 2013)".