by CAROLINE GAVURA Section Editor
Even if you think you have never heard of Chvrches, chances are you probably have. The band’s first single, “The Mother We Share”, was a top 10 track on Alternative Radio and the most played song on Sirius’s XMU in 2012. The band has now released their debut album, “The Bones of What You Believe”, on September 30, 2013.
The group, originating in Glasglow, United Kingdom, consists of singer Lauren Mayberry and keyboardists/vocalists Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. The band decided to spell their name with a “v” instead of a “u” to differentiate themselves in Internet searches.
Since synthpop is one of my favorite genres of music, when their first song “Lies” was released online in May 2012, I was intrigued by Chvrches. No one knew who they were – there was no photo of the band to be found on the web – and the band’s aura of mystery drew me in.
When “The Bones of What You Believe” dropped, I was ecstatic to start listening to more of their music. The music remains rough, despite Mayberry’s pure voice and the use of keyboards rather than guitars. The peculiar mixture of euphoric melodies and intense, emotional lyrics is quite literally music to my ears.
The first song on the album is – no surprise – “The Mother We Share”, which is a perfect intro for the record. This is the song that allowed Chvrches to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. It is also pretty catchy, too, with a feel-good beat that is perfect to dance to.
“‘The Mother We Share’ is one of my favorite songs! I like to listen to it when I’m running to get me pumped up and happy,” said senior Kelsey Rudowitz.
The hit single is followed by “We Sink,” which, while still cheerful and could be used as club music, has a much darker context. It tells of a relationship in which one of the lovers is unhappy, and Mayberry claims she feels like an annoyance and will always be “a thorn in your side until you die.”
Next is one of my favorites, “Gun”. This song tells of a girl who is a victim of a player and wants revenge, no matter what is takes. “I never believed, but I see it now. I’m learning your lesson,” Mayberry sings, explaining that she did not listen to her friends when they warned her about what might happen if she started dating this person.
“I can relate to this song a lot, and it’s fun to play in the car when I’m out with my friends,” said an anonymous student.
“Tether” also tells of a doomed relationship and how Mayberry feels “tethered” to her partner, but is not ready to let him go, even though she knows their relationship is coming to an end.
Doherty has lead vocals in “Under The Tide”, and sings of how he is battling apathy in his current relationship, taunting himself by saying, “I would go anywhere with you, what a lie,” knowing what he is telling his partner is not true.
My favorite on the album, “Recover”, expresses the fact that it is better to be yourself and feel good rather than be in a unideal relationship. Mayberry’s voice is hauntingly beautiful when she explains that it is possible to recover by being honest.
“Night Sky” has beautiful lyrics that discuss the contradiction between wanting to remember a lover, but also wanting to forget the painful end to a relationship.
The theme throughout the album is humanity, and it is not displayed any better than in “Science/Visions,” which talks about the idea of a collective consciousness and how humans are all connected.
“Lungs” as an entirety is a metaphor for a relationship. “Breathing in” for emotion and love and “breathing out” for letting go and moving on.
The album ends with “You Caught the Light”, a short but sweet song about Mayberry’s lover leaving her behind, but she is happy and looking forward to moving on with her life.
I loved this album and I think everyone should give it a listen!
What do you think about “The Bones of What You Believe”?