Young Shields

Owen Ashworth finally jettisons the confines of lo-fi minimalism for an expanded production palette, teaming up with Jherek Bischoff (Dead Science, Degenerate Art Ensemble) for the ride. 'Young Shields” is a driving, menacing anthem with its cold synths, frantic drum machines, and pulsing bass undermined by Ashworth's signature monotone--a brilliantly bitter narrative that stands as the most confident and sinister track in the Casiotone songbook. The single's B-side is an electro reworking of of Prince's 'When You Were Mine,' which features guest vocals from XIU XIU's Caralee McElroy, and somehow manages to sound giddy and gloomy at the same time. The CD version includes two beautifully retrofitted CFTPA classics from their sold out Alphabet Series 7-inch--'Roberta C' and 'The Subway Home.'