Chvrches - The Bones Of You Believe

Release Date: 20 September
Label: Virgin Records
Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Only handful of times have debuts as eagerly anticipated as this one impressed. NME named their song 'Lies' (from 'Recover EP) the number 28 song of 2012, with the band coming in fifth on BBC's "Bands To Watch Of 2013". Their EP caught the ear of one Mr. Daniel Glass (of independent label Glassnote Records), and in mid January it was announced that Chvrches was signed to his label. The fabled success continued as they toured with Depeche Mode and opened for Passion Pit a few times. The stage was set for a long time for this album.

Breathe a sigh of relief as here is a track by track review:

01: The Mother We Share - A mid tempo opener punctuated by piercing synths in between Lauren's beautifully clear vocals. The production levels overall on the album are exceptional. A fresh albeit safe start.

02: We Sink - The pace quickens with more pusling synths and a neo electrical beat. "I'll be a thorn in your side / til you die / I'll be a thorn in your side / for always". The undeniable catchiness that we first heard on their EP is here. Oh yes sirrey!

03: Gun - Pulling back slightly, the band delivers another one of their specialties: something that sounds like a Robyn track, but scaled back, polished and perfectly delivered. Every drumbeat is measured and the sweet vocals never become grating.

04: Tether - Perfectly capturing what they do best as a band, 'Tether' is a subtly beautiful electronic ballad lifted perfectly by New Order-esque guitars and yet more impeccable vocals. At around the 2.45 minute mark they go full on 80s Depeche Mode: synthastic and bouyant. This is really fun!

05: Lies -  Up to this point, the band has not ventured too far from home. That's ok. If it's not broken etc. 'Lies' is something a little different as heard on their EP. A trip-hop beat drives this one, with Lauren going a little bit gangster in her delivery. This is a humble band asserting itself. I wish there were more moments like this on the album, but this does stand out.

06: Under The Tide - Martin takes over lead vocals here, maintaining the tempo and level of class without breaking a sweat. For a band and album just utterly drenched in synthesizers, you barely notice them. Though when you do, it's to appreciate the warm sound they manage to create with them. Warm and sweet.

07: Recover - The title track of their EP, this one should be immediately recognizable and none the more fresh to listeners and fans of the band. Here, nestled in amongst the countless other, cohesive tracks, it manages to truly stand out whilst fitting in. It's quasi-reggae beat is a welcome break from a sound bordering on monotony. Sometimes cohesion can be boring. 'Recover' breaks it all up nicely.

08: Night Sky - Hailing perhaps to an inspiration, 'Night Sky' sounds like it could be a cover of a Goldfrapp song (it's not, but sounds like it could be). A return to that electro club sound.

09: Science / Visions - Taking off into space and looking back from a higher vantage point, synths become veiled under layers, slowly breaking through in pulsing excitement. Like so many of the tracks on this album, 'Science / Visions' never quite leaves the atmosphere, but orbits intensely for 3.58 minutes.

10: Lungs - Going semi-gangster again, Mayberry's sugary vocals root this track back into the pop realm. One that will no doubt lend itself to multiple remixes.

11: By The Throat - Dipping back into the Yazoo type 80's sound, the album is getting very slightly monotonous and predictable. That is until the pre-chorus kicks in, complete with pulsing drum claps which lead ultimately to burst of over the top effervescence.

12: You Caught The Law: Returning to a solid New Wave ballad, the band closes with a strong, memorable, mostly instrumental swan song. Scuzzy, layered vocals from Martin kick in after a minute and a half, but are unintelligible for a while. You kind of don't care. This might be the strongest moment on the album, but it possibly only stands out because it is the only song this tempo (slow, wheedling and woozy).

An intensely likable band with a very fine first effort. They played it incredibly safe here and at times it is very monotonous, but with such a fresh take on a often-done genre, Chvrches are what the future of pop will sound like. I hope.
WVS.