Lauren Mayberry has led CHVRCHES into stardom by headlining festivals around the world due to the success of their first album, “The Bones of what you Believe.” Thus, they faced the daunting task of replicating the attractiveness of their initial album with their second, which so many indie bands fail to do. Yet they exceed expectations in “Every Open Eye.”
SHATTERING EXPECTATIONS
CHVRCHES sophomore album is filled with more vibrancy than their last and makes one feel connected to Mayberry, who fills the album’s lyrical content with the downs, regrets and doubts of a dwindling relationship.This album perfectly personifies the doubts that happen in dysfunctional relationships.
Just when one underestimates Mayberry’s ability to better the lyrical content and the harmonization of different sounds after hearing the first album, listeners are surprised about the growth in both aspects in “Every Open Eye.” In doing so, CHVRCHES shattered expectations for their new album.
Even with the initial success with “The Bones of what you Believe”, Mayberry faced comparisons to successful synth pop female vocalists, MS MR and Florence and the Machine. With their new release, Mayberry and CHVRCHES have separated themselves from the constant comparisons and now have a sound unique and recognizable for themselves.
A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION
The first track on the album, “Never Ending Circles” kicks off in style with a booming synth line that churns inside the listener. Then, all of a sudden, Mayberry’s soothing vocals juxtapose the tone of the synth and bring the listeners emotions back to a calming reality. Furthermore, the same catchy beat echoes in and out of the song in between verses, thus giving this album a great first impression.
“Clearest Blue” is the best song on the album. While the lyrics seem very concise and conservative, the synthline on this track is the total opposite. Throughout the song there seems to be a building crescendo faintly noticeable within the catchy synth line. Finally there is a drop around the 2:20 mark that makes one awe as the climax of the song occurs.
The next track, “High enough to Carry you,” band member Martin Doherty makes his appearance on vocals and nails this track. Although the lyrics may sound reserved as it is limited to a couple of verses, the impact of each verse leaves listeners in deep thought with Doherty talking about the existential ideas behind the demeaning of oneself through the distraction of romantic relationships. The vocals of Doherty in this song are very comparable to those of Chromeo in songs like “Old 45,” which is not necessarily a bad thing.
TRANQUIL SYNTHS
The last song, “Afterglow,” is very reminiscent of M83 with its tranquil synths and at this final stop on the record, Mayberry seems to have given up the idea of leaving and thinks of her significant other highly in remembrance. “Afterglow” seems to be an odd way to end the album with a tone that is vulnerable.
But after consideration, it is understandable why Mayberry ended the album this way, just so the emotions of the one listening are twisted and thrown around. CHVRCHES thus succeeds in opening listener’s eyes to every aspect, consequence and outcome in ending or continuing a dysfunctional relationship.
Overall the sound of this album is definitely poppy, more than their last album which sounded more grungy. But “Every Open Eye” open all ears and eyes for excitement about the future of CHVRCHES.
