Not in Love (Crystal Castles song)

Last updated

"Not in Love"
Crystal Castles - Not in Love cover.jpg
Single by Crystal Castles featuring Robert Smith
ReleasedOctober 26, 2010 (2010-10-26)
Genre Synth-pop
Length3:49
Label Fiction
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Crystal Castles singles chronology
"Baptism"
(2010)
"Not in Love"
(2010)
"Plague"
(2012)
Robert Smith singles chronology
"J'aurai tout essayé"
(2010)
"Not in Love"
(2010)
"It Never Was the Same"
(2015)

"Not in Love" is the title of two covers by the Canadian electronic music duo Crystal Castles, both renditions of the 1983 song of the same name by the Canadian rock band Platinum Blonde. The first version appeared on the duo's second studio album, Crystal Castles (2010), while a second version featuring Robert Smith of the Cure was digitally released as a non-album single on October 26, 2010. Crystal Castles' Ethan Kath recorded his own vocals for their first version of "Not in Love"; following the Crystal Castles' release, Smith asked if he could remix a song on the album, ultimately resulting in the second version of "Not in Love".

Contents

Critics found the first version of "Not in Love", a synth-pop song, to be calmer than Smith's version, which they felt had more impactful beats and synths. Although the album version was generally seen as unexciting, the version with Smith was praised by critics, especially for its vocals. It was named one of the best songs of 2010 by multiple publications. It appeared in the main charts of Australia, Denmark, Scotland, and the United Kingdom, and was certified gold in Canada by Music Canada.

Background and release

"Not in Love" is a 1983 song by Platinum Blonde. [1] Crystal Castles re-recorded it for Crystal Castles (2010), which, according to a press release, was recorded at "an Icelandic church, a Canadian cabin, and a Detroit garage". [2] Another press release mentioned that Crystal Castles opened for the Cure at London's The O2 Arena in February 2009; this was the first time they met. [3] Crystal Castles member Ethan Kath recorded his own vocals for "Not in Love" as "a scratch demo"; he did not intend for them to be final, but they did end up on the album. [4] Following the album's release, Robert Smith of the Cure asked if he could remix a song on Crystal Castles. Kath suggested that Smith replace his vocals in "Not In Love" instead. [4] Smith recorded "raw demo vocals" for the song, but when the band listened to the result they became attached to the way the demo was sung and decided to keep the song as it was, and canceled their plans to record Smith again in a studio. [5]

The Smith version of "Not in Love" was announced on October 25, 2010, [3] and officially released as a single two days later. [6] It was planned to be released on December 6 in the United Kingdom via Fiction Records, with the B-sides containing acoustic demos of "Celestica" and "Suffocation", but the UK release never happened. [7] [8] An accompanying music video directed by Nic Brown was released in January 2011. [9] [10] The song was featured in the video game FIFA 12 (2011). [11]

Composition

Crystal Castles' first cover of "Not in Love" was characterized as synth-pop by Heather Phares of AllMusic. [15] Pitchfork 's Mark Richardson said that this version was filled with digital noise and heavy distortion, [16] although Mark Pytlik wrote to the same website that it is "much tamer" when compared to the version with Smith. [12] Cameron Scheetz of The A.V. Club wrote that Kath's "distant, distorted vocals" on that version provided a ghostly feel to the lyrics. [1] An NME writer said that "[t]here's an urgency to the keyboards that crescendos into a wall of sound that wraps around you like a blanket". [17]

Regarding the version with Smith, Scheetz said that it brought his emotive vocals to the forefront and enhanced the song's "throbbing" beat, adding that, in the chorus, "the already propulsive synths become unavoidably sweeping". [1] Beats Per Minute 's Philip Cosores said that this version's chorus has a heavier mix. [14] Pytlik declared that Kath's "storming synth squalls" provide the perfect contrast to Smith's "precarious and insecure delivery". [12] Larry Fitzmaurice of Pitchfork said that this version has a stronger structure and powerful synths with an anthemic intensity. [13]

Critical reception

Album version

The version on the Crystal Castles album was generally considered unexciting by critics. [12] [14] [18] Drowned in Sound 's James Lawrenson said that it could be considered "filler" and "dropped as a B-side", [18] while Cosores of Beats Per Minute described it as "pretty pedestrian". [14] Emily Bick of The Quietus wrote that the song "shifts towards discomfort, disillusion, despair"; [19] conversely, Justin Jacobs of Paste described it as "pretty" and that sounding "the way twinkling Christmas lights look". [20] Pytlik of Pitchfork said that the track "barely seemed to make a dent" when Crystal Castles was released. [12]

Robert Smith version

Pitchfork named the re-recording with Smith "Best New Track", with Richardson saying that Smith "elevates" Crystal Castles' first version, balancing nostalgia and the immediacy of life. [16] Fact staff wrote that it is "as satisfying as you could have hoped for". [21] Pitchfork's Ryan Dombal wrote "Smith's voice is loud and clear on the track", making it one of Crystal Castles' catchiest works. [6] Larry Fitzmaurice wrote to the same website that the song is "massive", evoking chills, and that, while the song is a cover, its "high-definition angst" felt unique to the band. [13] He also said that this was one of the best performances by Smith until that time. [13]

Scheetz wrote that Smith's emotional vulnerability reveals "the tender longing[s] beneath Crystal Castles' cool, icy facade". [1] Brandon Stosuy of Stereogum said that the cover "sounds like the best thing the Cure put together in ages", while providing a new perspective on the "saturated, blasted goth-noise prettiness" of Crystal Castles. [22] Slant Magazine staff said that "[t]he crunchy production combined with Smith's familiar pangs is heart-wrenching and nothing short of blisteringly gorgeous". [23] Molly Beauchemin from Pitchfork described the song as having an explosive, "life-affirming" chorus that transitions into Kath's tender interludes with "triumphant precision", calling it one of Crystal Castles' "finest, most cathartic ballads". [24] A DIY writer described the song as the most destined for festival stages and the purest of any Crystal Castles release, adding that it was one of the best covers of the 2010s and "a crazed re-creation of a song that looked to be dead and buried". [25]

Accolades

"Not in Love" was ranked as one of the twenty best songs of 2010 by Beats Per Minute , Pitchfork , and Slant Magazine . In 2014, Pitchfork considered it among the best songs of the decade until then. In 2022, Rolling Stone named it one of the best gothic songs of all time.

Accolades for "Not in Love"
PublicationListRankRef.
BBC Radio 6 Music Top 40 of 2010 (shortlist) [26]
Beats Per Minute The top 50 tracks of 201018 [14]
Fact The 100 best tracks of 201039 [21]
Pazz & Jop 2010 singles poll22 [27]
Pitchfork The top 100 tracks of 201015 [12]
The 200 best tracks of the decade so far (2010–2014)34 [13]
PopMatters The 60 best songs of 201047 [28]
Rolling Stone The 50 best goth songs of all time (2022)20 [29]
Slant Magazine The 25 best singles of 201013 [23]

Commercial performance

In Australia, "Not in Love" peaked at 90 in the ARIA Charts. [30] In Belgium, it charted at the Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders at number 3 [31] and on the Ultratop 50 Wallonia at 43. [32] In Canada, the song entered Billboard 's Canada Rock at 39 [33] and was certified gold by Music Canada, with 40,000 certified units. [34] It appeared in Denmark's Tracklisten at 31. [35] In Mexico, it peaked at 18 on Billboard's Mexico Ingles Airplay. [36] "Not in Love" appeared on the Official Charts Company's Scottish Singles Chart at 57 [37] and the UK Singles Chart at 53. [38] In the United States, it entered the two Billboard charts of Alternative Airplay at 24 [39] and Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales at 19. [40]

Track listing

Digital single [41]

  1. "Not in Love" (radio version) – 3:49
  2. "Not in Love" (Robert Smith mix) – 3:49

Personnel

Adapted from Spotify; applies to both the radio version and the Robert Smith mix. [41]

Chart performance

Chart performance for "Not in Love"
Chart (2010)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [30] 90
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [31] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [32] 43
Canada Rock ( Billboard ) [33] 39
Denmark (Tracklisten) [35] 31
Mexico Ingles Airplay ( Billboard ) [36] 18
Scotland (OCC) [37] 57
UK Singles (OCC) [38] 54
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [39] 24
US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [40] 19

Certifications

Certifications for "Not in Love"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [34] Gold40,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cure</span> English rock band

The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976 by guitarist, lead vocalist, and main songwriter Robert Smith and drummer Lol Tolhurst. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, including stints of guitarist Pearl Thompson and drummer Boris Williams, Smith has remained the only constant member, though bassist Simon Gallup has been present for all but about three years of the band's history. The band's current line-up features Smith and Gallup alongside longtime members, Roger O'Donnell (keyboards), Perry Bamonte (guitar), Jason Cooper (drums) and Reeves Gabrels (guitar).

<i>Disintegration</i> (The Cure album) 1989 studio album by the Cure

Disintegration is the eighth studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 2 May 1989 by Fiction Records. The band recorded the album at Hookend Recording Studios in Checkendon, Oxfordshire, with co-producer David M. Allen from late 1988 to early 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovesong (The Cure song)</span> 1989 single by the Cure

"Lovesong" is a song by English rock band the Cure, released as the third single from their eighth studio album, Disintegration (1989), on 21 August 1989. The song saw considerable success in the United States, where it reached the number-two position in October 1989 and became the band's only top-10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, the single charted at number 18, and it peaked within the top 20 in Canada and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Forest</span> 1980 song by The Cure

"A Forest" is a song by the English rock band the Cure. Co-produced by Mike Hedges and the band's Robert Smith, it was released as a single from the band's second album Seventeen Seconds on 28 March 1980. It was their debut entry on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 31. The accompanying music video was first shown on BBC's Top of the Pops programme on 24 April 1980.

<i>Kaleidoscope</i> (Siouxsie and the Banshees album) 1980 studio album by Siouxsie and the Banshees

Kaleidoscope is the third studio album by British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees, released on 1 August 1980 by Polydor Records. With the departure of John McKay and Kenny Morris and their replacement by two new musicians, Budgie on drums and John McGeoch on guitars, the band changed their musical direction and offered an album containing a wide variety of colors. "It was almost a different band", said Siouxsie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Castles</span> Canadian electronic music group

Crystal Castles was a Canadian electronic music group formed in 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, by songwriter-producer Ethan Kath and singer-songwriter Alice Glass. Crystal Castles was known for their chaotic live shows and lo-fi melancholic homemade productions. They released many limited vinyl singles between 2006 and 2007 before releasing four studio albums between 2008 and 2016.

<i>Alice Practice</i> 2006 EP by Crystal Castles

Alice Practice is the debut extended play (EP) by the Canadian electronic music duo Crystal Castles. It was released on July 9, 2006, through Merok Records. The release was limited to 500 copies on 7" vinyl and sold out in three days.

<i>Crystal Castles</i> (2008 album) 2008 studio album by Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles is the debut studio album by Canadian electronic music duo Crystal Castles; at the time of its release, the group consisted of producer Ethan Kath and singer Alice Glass. The two met each other in 2004 and both had an interest in noise acts like AIDS Wolf & The Sick Lipstick. This inspired the two to start a noise music project, but instead of guitars, they would use electronic sounds made with a circuit-bent Atari 5200–which effectively led to the media pigeonholing the act as chiptune, despite the fact that the members themselves didn't deliberately intend this.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Glass</span> Canadian singer and songwriter

Margaret Osborn, known professionally as Alice Glass, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is the co-founder and former frontwoman of the electronic band Crystal Castles. In 2014, she embarked on a solo career. She released her eponymous debut EP in 2017. Her solo debut album, Prey//IV, was released in February 2022.

<i>Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix</i> 2009 studio album by Phoenix

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is the fourth studio album by French indie pop band Phoenix. It was released on 25 May 2009 by V2 Records. While the band's previous work enjoyed a moderate underground following, the release of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix drew the attention of a more mainstream audience. In the US, Phoenix began a promotional tour including performances on several late night talk shows. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix continued to gain momentum with the increased exposure of the tour. The album received critical acclaim with many publications calling it one of the best albums of 2009. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards held on 31 January 2010.

<i>A Brief History of Love</i> 2009 studio album by the Big Pink

A Brief History of Love is the debut album from British electronic rock duo the Big Pink. The album was released on 14 September 2009 on 4AD. The Big Pink signed with 4AD in February 2009, and won the prestigious NME Philip Hall Radar Award for best new act. The band were also named as "one of the most likely breakout acts of 2009" by the BBC. Prior to the album's release, the band issued three singles: "Too Young to Love"/"Crystal Visions" on the House Anxiety label in October 2008, "Velvet" on 4AD in April 2009, and the non-album track "Stop the World" in June 2009. "Dominos", the album's first proper single and the band's fourth single overall, preceded the album on 7 September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimewave (song)</span> 2007 single by Crystal Castles vs. Health

"Crimewave" is a song performed by Canadian experimental band Crystal Castles and American noise rock band Health from Crystal Castles' self-titled debut album. The song acts as both Crystal Castles and Health's debut singles in addition to being the first single from the album Crystal Castles. It was first released on August 13, 2007 by Trouble Records, accompanied by the B-side "XxzxcuZx Me". The song is a re-working of the Health original track of the same name written by the band members of Health for their eponymous debut album. It was re-written by Ethan Kath of Crystal Castles. Kath also produced the re-worked track. The song contains prominent electro and chiptune musical characteristics.

<i>Crystal Castles</i> (2010 album) 2010 studio album by Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles is the second studio album by the Canadian electronic music duo Crystal Castles, released on May 24, 2010, by Fiction Records and Last Gang Records. The album was initially scheduled for release on June 7, 2010; however, the release dates were moved forward after the album leaked online, thus a digital version of the album was released on April 23, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancing on My Own</span> 2010 single by Robyn

"Dancing on My Own" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn, released on 20 April 2010 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 (2010), the first in her Body Talk series. "Dancing on My Own" was produced by Patrik Berger, co-produced by Robyn, and mixed by Niklas Flyckt, with Robyn and Patrik sharing writing credits. The song's stark mid-tempo electropop version from her album was the first version of the single released followed by a layered mid-tempo synth-pop edit designed for radio and a downtempo piano ballad recording for Radio 1's Live Lounge – Volume 5 later that year. It depicts a female protagonist in a crowded club just before last call who is dancing on her own while watching her ex-boyfriend, who she sought out, dancing with and embracing another woman, pondering confronting him for the last time before her time runs out. The song was inspired by situations Robyn observed while on her previous tour then clubbing throughout Stockholm, her favorite "inherently sad gay disco anthems", and the dissolution of her engagement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doe Deer</span> 2010 single by Crystal Castles

"Doe Deer" is a song recorded by the Canadian electronic band Crystal Castles. It was released on April 17, 2010, as the second single from their second studio album, Crystal Castles (2010); the release is also considered an EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celestica (song)</span> 2010 single by Crystal Castles

"Celestica" is a song recorded by the Canadian electronic band Crystal Castles for their second studio album, Crystal Castles (2010). After a BBC Radio 1 premiere, it was released on April 16, 2010, as the first single from the album, being later accompanied by a music video. According to member Ethan Kath, the track was inspired by a suicide at the Celestica factories in Canada. Critics cited the song as a shift from Crystal Castles' usual sound, presenting a pop sound and resembling shoegaze. Others highlighted its melody and member Alice Glass' vocals. It was considered one of the best songs of the year by NME, while Pitchfork named it as one of the best tracks between 2010 and 2014 and among the best Crystal Castles songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not in Love (Platinum Blonde song)</span> 1984 single by Platinum Blonde

"Not in Love" is a song by Canadian new wave band Platinum Blonde from the band's 1983 self-titled debut EP Platinum Blonde. It was released as a 7" single in October 1984 through CBS.

<i>III</i> (Crystal Castles album) 2012 studio album by Crystal Castles

III (stylized as (III)) is the third studio album by Canadian electronic music duo Crystal Castles, released on November 7, 2012, by Fiction Records and Polydor Records. Production was handled by Ethan Kath, with additional production by Jacknife Lee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Castles discography</span>

The discography of the Canadian electronic duo Crystal Castles consists of four studio albums, fourteen music videos, one extended play, seventeen singles, and ten remixes.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scheetz, Cameron (January 22, 2015). "The Cure's Robert Smith finds the heart beneath Crystal Castles' tough exterior". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  2. Dombal, Ryan (April 13, 2010). "Crystal Castles announce second LP". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Crystal Castles team up with the Cure's Robert Smith". Fact . October 25, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Interview: A quick catch up with Crystal Castles". UnderTheRadar. May 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  5. Dombal, Ryan (November 8, 2012). "Crystal Castles". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Dombal, Ryan (October 26, 2010). "Listen: Robert Smith sings with Crystal Castles". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  7. Adams, Gregory (October 24, 2010). "Crystal Castles recruit the Cure's Robert Smith for new single". Exclaim! . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  8. Murray, Robin (October 26, 2010). "Crystal Castles meet Robert Smith". Clash . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  9. Dombal, Ryan (January 14, 2011). "Video: Crystal Castles/Robert Smith: 'Not in Love'". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  10. Thiessen, Brock (January 14, 2011). "Crystal Castles: 'Not in Love' (ft. Robert Smith) (video)". Exclaim! . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  11. Goodwyn, Tom (September 20, 2011). "Kasabian, The Strokes, The Vaccines for FIFA 12 soundtrack". NME . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The top 100 tracks of 2010". Pitchfork . December 13, 2010. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "The 200 best tracks of the decade so far (2010–2014)". Pitchfork . August 18, 2014. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Top 50 Tracks of 2010". Beats Per Minute . January 6, 2011. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  15. Phares, Heather. "Crystal Castles (II) review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Richardson, Mark (October 26, 2010). "Crystal Castles: 'Not in Love' [ft. Robert Smith]". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  17. "Crystal Castles, Crystal Castles – First listen". NME . April 19, 2010. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  18. 1 2 Lawrenson, James (April 20, 2010). "First Listen: Crystal Castles : Crystal Castles". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  19. Bick, Emily (April 13, 2010). "Crystal Castles: Exclusive track-by-track preview of Crystal Castles' new LP". The Quietus . Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  20. Jacobs, Justin (May 26, 2010). "Crystal Castles: Crystal Castles". Paste . Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  21. 1 2 "The 100 best tracks of 2010". Fact . February 6, 2011. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  22. Stosuy, Brandon (October 26, 2010). "Crystal Castles & Robert Smith – 'I'm Not In Love'". Stereogum . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  23. 1 2 "The 25 best singles of 2010". Slant Magazine . December 13, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  24. Beauchemin, Molly (October 9, 2014). "Goodbye to Crystal Castles: Their ten best songs". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  25. "Crystal Castles: The defining moments of a chaotic band". DIY . October 9, 2014. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  26. "Top 40 of 2010". BBC Radio 6 Music. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  27. "New York Pazz and Jop Singles − All Votes (2010)". The Village Voice . Archived from the original on February 6, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  28. "The 60 best songs of 2010". PopMatters . April 16, 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  29. Harrima, Andi (October 31, 2022). "The 50 best goth songs of all time". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  30. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 69.
  31. 1 2 "Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith – Not In Love" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  32. 1 2 "Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith – Not In Love" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  33. 1 2 "Crystal Castles Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  34. 1 2 "Canadian single certifications – Crystal Castles – Not in Love". Music Canada . Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  35. 1 2 "Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith – Not In Love". Tracklisten. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  36. 1 2 "Crystal Castles Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  37. 1 2 "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  38. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  39. 1 2 "Crystal Castles Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  40. 1 2 "Crystal Castles Chart History (Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales)". Billboard . Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  41. 1 2 "'Not in Love' – Single by Crystal Castles". Spotify. Archived from the original on June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.