CHVRCHES - 'The Bones of What You Believe' Review

rating:5

The BBC's annual 'Sound of...' list marks out the bands and artists that will be shoved down the general public's throat and held on a pedestal for the next twelve months. The top couple of acts usually do well but most others bother Radio 1 infrequently after that year is up (La Roux, the Ting Tings) and a number of acts make less than a ripple, let alone a splash (The Twang, James Blake) so on seeing the name Chvrches in fifth place on the 2013 list I was hopeful but not expecting anything special until I heard their debut single 'The Mother We Share.' It is a piece of delightful synthpop, not least because of the refreshingly joyous and delicate lilt in the vocal performance of singer Lauren Mayberry. On the strength of this song alone I went into the three piece's first studio full length album 'The Bones of What You Believe' with high expectations. Opening a debut album with a song as strong and undeniable as 'The Mother We Share' is a huge gamble but it is backed up by 'We Sink' and the single 'Gun' to complete a whirlwind opening salvo. 'Tether' brings the first surprise. The change of tone is the first sign that this is not a record of pop singles with a splash synth sprinkled on top, which may come as a surprise to some. This is a serious record by a group that really know their genre. On such a strong and varied collection it is hard to select standouts but among others 'Lies' and 'Under The Tide' prove that this is not a band that uses 80's synths as an fashionable affectation. 'Night Sky' is a pulsing track made for enjoying on a night drive. As much as the first part of the album houses the majority of the band's pop and top 40-focused hits, the latter part of the record, especially stand-out track 'Science-Visions' is darker, more intense and the most exciting part of the record. 'By The Throat' sounds like a forgotten 80's hit and the album's closer, the sweeping 'You Caught The Light' channels all the cinematic atmosphere of Kavinsky. The change of vocalist from Lauren Mayberry to Martin Doherty for this final track not only suits the song but shows that this is a band willing to be flexible and curious when looking for ways to evolve. To have a band making music like this shows great hope for the future. These are the type of tracks on which longevity is built. Chvrches are doing what they do on their own terms and the result is a record of immediate impact. While not everything will go down well with listeners looking for light electro pop, the quality of the tracks this album offers make the listener feel well fed. There is very little filler and what is here is well rounded. Chvrches' success will continue to intensify on the back of the 'Sound Of 2013' hype but this is a band that will not flounder once the hard sell is gone and their year of being the 'hot new thing' is over. 'The Bones of What You Believe' is out now.