Feb 28

Feb 28 CHVRCHES: The Reigning Rulers of Synthpop

After a social media teaser showing frontwoman, Lauren Mayberry, crossing out a lipstick heart on a mirror, Scottish synthpop group, CHVRCHES, released poppy single "Get Out" in late January. The hinted hype has continued with the group (other members are Iain Cook and Martin Doherty) promoting the future album's title "Love is Dead" on their Instagram, as well as a possible tracklist, including previously leaked "My Enemy." This is their first new music since their second LP, Every Open Eye, in 2015.

Personally, I'm so ready for the next hit of their vibrant indie-synthpop. Mayberry's voice is ageless and makes you want to bounce around and dance like nobody's watching. Their official debut single, "The Mother We Share," is still one of my favorites, but don't limit yourself to any one song or even album. They're honestly all good. The candied vocals and swirling synthesizers are perfect on vinyl and always danceable, but when that synth throbs heavier and the tight electronic hooks hit home, that's when you see their true prowess as a festival circuit constant.

The group has been inclined to tease their upcoming albums on social media in prior years. I remember before Every Open Eye came out, their Instagram page was filled with those photos split into nine to create one whole picture after nine posts, an album cover in their case. Now, we get mini, slightly haunting videos, behind the scene shots and scratched out lyrics (personal favorite: "I feel like I'm falling, but I'm trying to fly"), which I like better. It's more interactive. Either way, CHVRCHES likes to keep you guessing, which is how I feel their music often is. It's not expected or predictable. The match of Mayberry's soprano against the bass, drums, heavy synth and sometimes surprise appearance of the deeper vocals of Cook and Doherty is one to be reckoned with. "My Enemy" is a perfect example of this, juxtaposing Mayberry's lilting voice against The National's Matt Berninger's cool, booming vocals.

For this new album, CHVRCHES partnered with Greg Kurstin, who recently took home yet another Grammy for producer of the year for his work with Beck, Adele, the Foo Fighters and Sia. The group could never be mistaken for a pop group, but "Get Out" is definitely the band's most aggressively "pop" endeavor thus far, while still running their fringe synth-electronica current underneath the upbeat melodies. "My Enemy," meanwhile, is very slow and underneath the vocals there's an undulating resonance, which mentally takes you to a warehouse show—the dark walls and ceilings, only the lights of the stage to focus on and the limbs and nodding heads of the crowd languidly moving around you.

As a side note, Mayberry is also very outspoken against misogyny. She has spoken out time and time again, particularly against the online culture that creates a safe haven for those who want to tear women down. This only makes me commend her and the group who supports her even more. She's in a tough position, though some may only see the enviable aspects of it, and has made it her responsibility to speak out.

CHVRCHES announced today at noon that Love is Dead will be out May 25. Preorders and the tracklist are now available. And if you're in the New York City area, don't miss them at this year's Governors Ball on Randall's Island June 3.