[title size=”1 to 6″ style=”options: default, sidebar”]Grade: B [/title]

From the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow, Chvrches has emerged as a new power hitter in the synthpop world. After releasing their EP, Recover, the critical acclaim soon turned to anticipation for a full fledged album. There was an expectation built up and many had hopes the album would continue in the direction the EP had set out on. Songs such as “Recover” gave us a view of what this pop trio would be about their first time around. And wouldn’t you know it, “Recover” finds its way into the debut LP The Bones of What You Believe.

Some words must be said about vocalist, Lauren Mayberry and her possible new position in the large lineup of indie fems. Her sound may at times be overbearing and if you listen to songs like “Recover” over and over you will know what I mean. However, she has delicate sensibilities with her range and seems to float on top of the music and at times blends into it, not unlike Megan James of Purity Ring. Yet the poppy nature of Chvrches separates away from the dreamy Purity Ring on multiple fronts. One such difference is the occasional harmonizing with Lain Cook and Martin Doherty, the other two of the three in the band. In the context of pop female vocalists, Mayberry is at home being mentioned along side of Caroline Polachek of Chairlift and Kori Gardner of Mates of State.

Chvrches places an emphasis on mood within their songs rather than simply being a happy pop band. The song “The Mother We Share” brings out the desire for some people to keep moving on with their lives and plays on the emotional toll of relationships, not necessarily romantic, that become taxing to those involved. The lyrics in The Bones of What You Believe take on emotional themes such as being used in a relationship and the desire to find personal peace within oneself. The messages delightfully sung by Mayberry the other members of Chvrches are compounded by the rubbery synths and repetitive nature of the music. It is as if the ideas being kicked around in the lyrics and music are thoughts that have lingered for a long time.

This album may not be a breath of fresh air for the synth-pop community, but that is not a bad thing by any means. I am interested in seeing where Chvrches goes in the future. If their first go around was this much of a success then what comes next should be worth a listen.