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Review: CHVRCHES, ‘The Bones of What You Believe’

chvrches-the-bones-of-what-you-believe

It’s been over a year since the Scottish trio first teased listeners with their incurably addicting singles “Lies” and “The Mother We Share,” and after what seems like ages of anticipation, CHVRCHES have finally released their long-awaited debut album The Bones Of What You Believe. Given the success of the early singles as well as their Recover EP that dropped in late March, I went in for the listen with the highest possible hopes. This is obviously not the best way to approach an album for the first time, but my obsession with their earlier songs, “The Mother We Share” in particular, made it seemingly impossible for me to expect anything less than synthy, electronic excellence. And I was not let down.

The album opens with “The Mother We Share” and progresses into a seamless rollercoaster of catchy synth-pop and unique sonic layers. There’s a noticeable and appropriate amount of diversity among the 13 tracks in terms of tone and energy – some of the songs are fun and danceable, while others have a much darker and ominous vibe. The latter almost sound like what might be played in the background of a terrifying video game – but they all seem to flow well enough to give TBOWYB an entirely distinct and cohesive feel. Even in the more upbeat songs, there’s a fitting sense of obscurity and perhaps even fear, that ends up becoming more and more apparent after realizing how ill-omened some of the lyrics truly are.

Lauren Mayberry (who does lead vocals on most of the tracks) has a voice that sounds like some sort of a magical pixie from a land of elves and unicorns and that only adds to the overall eeriness. Mayberry’s band mates do impress when they lend their vocals as well, but there is just something so hypnotic about hers. It seems to intensify the emotional aspect of each song as the vulnerability in her angelic voice along with the heartache that she frequently sings about can truly be felt and understood by listeners.

Not all of the songs are about breakups and love-related situations, but a number of them are, and they don’t simply address sadness or loneliness. Rather, they delve deep into some of the worst (and totally relatable) scenarios that leave you feeling raw and exposed. In “Tether”, one of the slower and noticeably sadder tracks, lines like “In a place where we don’t have a prayer / There’s a tether that’s keeping me there” and “Chasing things that we should run from” so easily relay the feeling of wanting to hold on to someone who’s repeatedly fucked you over, even though you know it’s a bad idea, and just how distressing that can feel. When Mayberry ends the song with “I feel incapable of seeing the end” and “I feel incapable of saying it’s over” as it comes to a close, that feeling is basically cemented.

“Night Sky” sounds like the soundtrack to a futuristic sci-fi love story with a quicker tempo, but still holds the same sinister vibe, which similarly culminates in the ending of the song. It also contains some simple yet awesome lyrics that are simultaneously hopeful and hopeless.  “Lungs” is another standout track, with a cheerful beat that almost sounds reminiscent of early Passion Pit, but with lyrics that are basically telling a story of broken love that has come to a dull and bitter end.

An interesting theme that seems to repeat itself in almost each track is the equation of emotional and physical pain by way of bodily injuries and violence. Lines like “I’ll be a thorn in your side till you die” (“We Sink”), “Bind me till my lips are silent” (“Tether”), “You got to show me both knees, skin and bone” (“Lies”) and “With teeth we’ve come this far / I’ll take this thing by the throat and walk away” (“By the Throat”) all fully communicate the discomfort and agony of the situations CHVRCHES is talking about.

The Bones of What You Believe is undoubtedly catchy, while being emotional and filled with a sort of gloom – in varying degrees of subtlety – that goes deeper than most pop albums. You can sing and dance to it when you’re happy, and then use it to complement your tears after a bad breakup.



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