Chvrches Sophomore Album
Every time I mention Chvrches on the Has it Leaked Twitter account, it’s guaranteed to get retweeted. And it’s been like that since their debut album came out. Kanye rants, Radiohead updates, Tame Impala quotes and Slipknot f-bombs I get. But a synth-pop band from Scotland? It’s still a mystery to me. Not even The Chemical Brothers or New Order are as popular as this act on Has it Leaked.
Don’t get me wrong, I really like the trio. I’ve yet to see them live but their debut was more than a couple of hit singles, singer Lauren Mayberry is both cute and smart and their pop melodies remind me of early Erasure and Depeche Mode. But still. And I’m especially directing this towards fans from the US; There are so many UK bands trying to push through, and very few make it further than a one-off concert on Conan. But somehow, this made it? Anyway,
“20 percent different, bigger, better” than their debut”
The band have now completed their second album, according to an interview with the NME. It’s set to be released sometime this year and include songs, titled ‘Never-Ending Circles’, ‘Make Them Gold’ and ‘Leave a Trace’.
Martin Doherty, the bands keyboard player, explained that he wanted to maintain a certain ‘accessibility’ to the band’s music. “After making one record that people really like, some bands reject the things that everyone liked about them and make some really deep, thoughtful, dark record – but I wanted to avoid making a ‘mature’ album,” he commented. “That said, it’s not like we’re making saccharine shite. There’s important lyrical content, and we’re still pushing the same emotional boundaries, but also trying to make it as accessible as possible.”
Mayberry added: “Because the album was written over such a long period of time, it’s about the goods and the bads, the beginnings and ends.”. No title or release date have yet to be announced, but by the end of the summer we will likely have more for you.
Now, to cure my curiosity I want to ask; How you would, in retrospect, rate their 2013 debut album The Bones of What You Believe? On the album page, it currently has a 9.4 score – But those ratings are often somewhat misleading since people are excited and might only have listened to the album once when adding their opinion. So I’ll ask once again, and feel free to comment as to why you think the band is so popular. So, out of 10….
[poll id=”6″]
There’s a few catchy cool sounding tracks on their debut, it’s pretty good, but Lauren Mayberry’s cuteness has definitely influenced their success.
I have to agree that Lauren’s cuteness has influenced their popularity. I’ve seen them live and most of the fans there were guys. Sadly there was also that online misogyny column that got quite an attention.
But with Lauren’s image aside, their debut album is still pretty solid. It spawned like what, 7 singles or so? I know the critics love them but popularity wise I don’t think they’re ‘that’ popular here in the US, at least not on the level of Depeche Mode or New Order.
@kentledood I went with the US popularity thing, based on the site’s traffic – But also checked Wikipedia. The album has a US Metacritic score of 80, and numerous accolades from Pitchfork, Rolling stones, Spin etc. And the album peaked at #12 on Billboard, and #3 on the US Alternative list.
Not at the level where New Order or Depeche Mode are, but then again – This site’s audience is way more interested in this sophomore album compared to New Order’s upcoming LP.
Also, not sure it’s sad that an online misogyny column gets a fair amount of attention ;)
Wasn’t the information of the upcoming New Order album only released just a few days ago? I only just heard about the news today. But then again I didn’t know about the upcoming Chvrches album until I read this article so thank you.
I honestly don’t have an answer to the question but my guess is the combination of Lauren’s singing voice (with her cute accent here and there), her lyrics, and image? Not to discredit Martin and Lain though because I personally think they create some sick melodic loops and beats.
As for the online misogyny, it’s fine that it gets attention but reading some of the vulgar comments from fans such as ‘using a cheese grater where it doesn’t belong’ and mentioning rape is what’s sad. I, too, idolize Lauren but more in a taking her out surfing kind of way.
Sorry if I’m not adding anything to this particular subject but will definitely keep checking in to see what others have to say. :D
I am a full blown electropop fan, as evidenced by my participation on this site. I have waffled on Chvrches since hearing their debut – going as far as deleting them from my iTunes, then adding back the half dozen songs I kind of like… There are SO many other synth bands that are better that haven’t broken through – I really don’t get it. I feel the same about St. Vincent.
Having a cute front-woman to gather fans is not a new formula… It simply works (Young Ejecta, Chew Lips, Chromatics/Glass Candy/Desire, Phantogram, Crystal Castles, Keep Shelly In Athens, Goldfrapp, etc.)
I give their debut a 6, and once again I find my iTunes nearly full and Chvrches about to get deleted to make room for something more solid. I’m hanging on I guess to see if their 2nd piques my curiosity.
IMO the songs that Lauren has the lead are the best but her voice is not strong enough to allow them to be a great touring band but she is young so maybe her pipes will develop