The Thunderous Indie Anthem
"Crystals" is the lead single from Of Monsters and Men’s second studio album, Beneath the Skin (2015). It represents a darker, more rhythmic evolution from their earlier hits. The song is driven by pounding drums and an anthemic quality that demands energy from the singer.
The track features the band's signature dual vocal attack, with Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir taking the lead melody and Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson providing lower harmonies and unison shouts. To score well here, you need to balance raw power with rhythmic precision.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
The verses move quickly with lines like "Lost in skies of powdered gold." Users often slur these words. Keep your consonants crisp and sharp to match the snare drum hits.
Phase 1: The Verse Pulse (0:15 - 0:58)
The song begins with a driving beat. The verse melody sits comfortably in the mid-range (B3-B4 for females, an octave lower for males). The challenge isn't pitch, but intensity.
The Trap: Don't sing this too prettily. It needs a bit of grit. Keep the airflow consistent and punch the downbeats to lock in with the instrumentation. The line "I know I'll never be home" should feel resolved and firm.
Phase 2: The Anthemic Chorus (0:58 - 1:40)
The energy lifts significantly here. The lyrics "Cover your crystal eyes" require a strong chest mix. You need to project your voice forward.
- The "Whoa" Sections: These are background chants that add texture. Keep your throat open and use a vowel shape closer to "Ah" than "Oh" for better resonance.
- Breath Support: The phrases are long. Take a deep diaphragmatic breath before the chorus hits so you don't run out of air on "trembling walls."
Phase 3: The Bridge Build-up (2:35 - 3:15)
This is the emotional climax. The instrumentation strips back slightly before building into a wall of sound. The repetition of "I am slowly falling" needs dynamic variation. Start mezzo-forte and grow to fortissimo.
If you are singing Nanna's part, be careful with the C#5 peak notes. Ensure you aren't pulling too much chest weight up, or you will sound strained against the heavy reverb of the track.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lead vocal melody reaches up to a D5 in the ad-libs and C#5 in the main melody lines, making it very accessible for Altos and Mezzos.
Yes. While it is recorded as a duet/group piece, the Singing Coach AI app allows you to take the lead while the backing track handles the harmonies and gang vocals.
Avoid heavy vibrato. Of Monsters and Men use a very straight tone with a sudden cut-off at the end of phrases. Practice holding notes straight without wavering.
