CHVRCHES – The Bones Of What You Believe 8.5/10
Glassnote Records
In recent years, it would seem wise not to believe “the hype.” Countless artists are prematurely evaluated as the next big band based on an extremely limited body of work. A short EP or even a few loose tracks leave us hungering for more but after all the praise and anticipation, the album is more often than not, disappointing. With their full-length debut, The Bones Of What You Believe, Scottish synthpop band Chvrches proves that some bands actually do live up to the hype. Backed by the label that brought Phoenix to popularity in the United States, Chvrches may be headed for exactly that kind of mass appeal.
The world was first introduced to Lauren Mayberry, Martin Doherty and Iain Cook in 2012 with the infectious track ,”The Mother We All Share”, which opens the album and remains the standout track throughout. Releases of “Gun”, “Lies” and “Recover” have been rolled out one after the other as internet singles and all three tracks occupy important space on the album.
Though all of the tracks are extremely complex production wise, including the use of chopped and programmed layers of vocals, what Chvrches have really mastered is the art of the buildup. All of their songs have a similar, effective structure; they start minimally and build gradually before hitting you with a larger than life sounding chorus. It’s about the moment when everything comes together. Though Lauren’s nymph-like voice is the best fit for their sound and is featured on the bulk of the tracks, the power of their choruses can be exemplified by “Under The Tide”, where a vocally weaker Martin manages to crank out an anthem with a simple yet utterly satisfying hook. “Night Skies” works in a similar fashion, building you up, down, and up again before hammering home with the chorus and basic chanting “whoa whoa” vocals.
Two of the best tracks on the album were not released as singles beforehand, “We Sink” and the more downbeat “Tether”. “We Sink” leaves one with the unforgettable chorus of “I’ll always be a thorn in your side, for all of time”, an image that hints at the darker feelings that have helped them create their own brand of broody pop. As many joyous feelings as their music may evoke (mostly due to the feel good nature of synthesizers), there is a looming threat present beneath the glossy exterior. In “Gun”, Lauren compares herself to a gun, warning that it is “you I’ll come for.” In “The Mother We Share” she utters that “the mother we share will never keep our cold hearts from thawing”. Crumbling relationships are a main thematic, but the overall tone still manages to put a spring in your step.
The Bones Of What You Believe is proof that we should not lose hope despite the hype machine that leaves us underwhelmed every time a highly publicized and promising band finally releases their first LP. Chvrches have created their own formula of pop, energized by 80s-reminiscent synth glory and sinister subject matter, and at this rate there is no reason to think that they won’t deliver again.