Cruel Ploy’s new album “X’s and Ohs” hits with a kind of raw energy that doesn’t ask for permission. It just jumps in and shows exactly what the band is aiming for. 25 tracks in total, they push their dark rock style with great confidence. The guitars come through with grit, the drums hit hard and the vocals carry a strength that matches the atmosphere of each song. Nothing feels unexpected here, this band clearly knows how they want their music to sound.
I really love how alive the whole record feels. Even the quieter moments have a spark in them and the louder ones feel like they were made to shake a room. The lyrics are powerful with ideas that don’t feel predictable. You can hear real effort behind every track and the long tracklist actually works in their favor and lets you settle into their world and stay there for a while.
My favorite part is how polished the album sounds without losing its edge. The production, mixing and overall performance show a band with real talent and purpose. Honestly, this album was an incredible experience from start to finish and I’d easily call it one of the strongest rock releases I’ve heard in a long time.
