Click To Open The Spotify Playlist
Week 31:
Chvrches
Artist Introduction
Chvrches, pronounced Churches, might be the most unique act we’ve featured in the Cascella Music Club to date. Chvrches is a three-piece Scottish Synth-Pop band out of Glasgow who formed back in September of 2011, releasing their first album in 2013. Over the past decade they have released 4 studio albums and their unique alternative pop sound has been used on several soundtracks for both television and video game media. I first learned about Chvrches back in college through friends who would pride themselves on listening to “bands you’ve never heard of”, and back then barely anyone had heard of them. At the time my music tastes were still mostly varying shades of rock, hard-rock, and metal. Like my review of Childish Gambino many weeks ago, Chvrches was one of the acts that opened my mind to different genres of music. Their modern take on genres like 80s electropop, and alternative gothic music have clear influences from Depeche Mode, Eurythumics, Kate Bush, and The Cure. This should be an interesting one for the Cascella Music Club. As opposed to the analog approach of many of the artists previously discussed, this band heavily relies on electronics via vintage synthesizers, electronic drum machines, samplers, and vocal modulation. So yea, keep an open mind, you have been warned!
Vin Cascella
Most Popular
The Mother We Share
Chvrches’ debut single, and a pretty all encompassing example of their style of music. Upbeat electronic music with melancholy lyrics (my favorite recurring theme outside of Orwellian tracks). Even after looking up the lyrics and meaning I’m still not sure what this song is about. According to the band it's not literal but more so about shared experiences and the cycle of hope and despair people experience at different points in their lives. Sure, I never really thought about these lyrics, I just dig the sound of the song. This song along with “Gun” and "Recovery" were the first songs I heard by this group.
Clearest Blue
One of the singles off their second studio album this song also has metaphorical lyrics over an upbeat. I had to look up the lyrics of this one too, about a narrator trying not to self-sabotage a healthy relationship. Kind of like Breaking Benjamin songs, I’m not in it for the lyrical content but I like it for the vibes. This one builds for the first two minutes before the instrumental “drop” in the second half. In my opinion this is the most EDM (Electric Dance Music) sounding track in this selection (that is their own song) with how it builds into a danceable section.
Leave A Trace
Another single, also off their second album. This one has more explicit lyrics than the previous two songs. It’s about realizing that a relationship is toxic and that conversation won’t resolve anything or make any party feel better… I’m not sure why I’m talking about the lyrical content of these songs. I’ve never really listened to Chvrches for their lyrics. Let’s see if I can focus on why I like them so much in the rest of this review.
Personal Favorites
Bury It ft. Hayley Williams
A slight remix to the original album version with the addition of Paramore’s Hayley Williams. She fits well into the sound of the song and her voice is amazing as always. This song is pretty similar to everything else so far just with the addition of Hayley. Just a cool song from the band with a huge feature as they continue to gain popularity. Something worth noting I think the lead singer, Lauren’s voice falls well into my theory that someone’s voice does not need to be traditionally great in order for them to fit a band’s sound. Hayley’s voice is so much stronger but I like both of their voices in this song. I think Lauren’s voice actually works really well with vocal modulation, making it more of another instrument instead of just the vocals on the song.
Asking For A Friend
I’m skipping their 3rd album and going into their 4th album “Screen Violence” for the next few songs. I think this entire album is their best work and I considered cheating our system and just posting this album in its entirety. If you like these next few songs I highly recommend listening to all of “Screen Violence”. The next few songs are the audio equivalent to 80s horror and slasher films. Although created in 2021 with influences of the pandemic, societal expectations, and literal violence on and through screens, these songs could fit into films like Friday the 13th and Halloween. Now onto the song itself: A long opening track that sets the tone of the album. Doom and gloom synth and bass with long instrumental sections. I think this is the first song in the selection that has music that matches the content of the lyrics. These next few songs also feature more bass, drums, and guitar.
Violent Delights
Featuring references of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” with the fears of dreams becoming reality. The chorus and more specifically the drumtrack are similar to something that 90s rave band The Prodigy (You all know “Firestarter” and “Smack My Bitch Up”) would create. More atmospheric doom and gloom synth soundscape with a rare vocal performance from bandmate Martin Doherty. I think this is just a really solid song. Tons of layers in the music, and although over five minutes long I don’t think it drags at all. They took a ton of care with the theme on this one and bringing “Screen Violence” to life. It combines themes of existential dread, psychological struggle, and people finding pleasure from destruction.
Unique Songs
How Not To Drown ft. Robert Smith
The closest thing to a rock song on the entire list. The first half is all traditional instruments without voice modification. Prominent drums and bass along with guitar, keyboard, and clean vocals. And with a dream feature for a band like Chvrches from the one and only Robert Smith of The Cure. Supposedly Robert Smith does not have an agent so Chvrches just e-mailed him a few demos and hoped that he would respond. Not sure how true that is but yea its another cool song that again really fits this gothic horror narrative that they are driving home in the album. The vocal duet is a nice touch as well.
Here With Me (Marshmello ft. Chvrches)
Complete opposite of How Not To Drown. An EDM track by Marshmello (DJ who wears a giant marshmallow helmet) featuring Chvrches. Outside of Lauren’s vocals this song is pretty much unrecognizable as Chvrches. Upbeat sound along with upbeat lyrics? Unheard of. But not only is it unique it is also their most popular track by almost 10x so I felt it necessary to include. Outside of that it's a fine dance pop song with really sweet lyrics. It also has a surprising amount of guitar for an EDM artist. That’s about it for this one, cute pop song, but not really them.
Cry Little Sister
Wrapping up with a pretty faithful cover to a classic goth track made for the soundtrack of 1987 comedy horror (so much of this selection has gone back to 80s horror) The Lost Boys. Chvrches made this cover for a Netflix show called Nightbooks. Don’t know it, but I enjoy the cover. I’ve mentioned it a few times in my review but since Chvrches’ inception they have been involved in the film and video game industry. They made songs for Mirror’s Edge and Death Stranding (huge game) while providing covers for multiple other shows and movies (Hunger Games, Mr Robot, etc.). It might just be that they have a good agent but I think it's a testament to how they have a unique enough sound while still being approachable to a variety of audiences. And also willing to be a part of so many different forms of media. Cool song, solid vocals performance as well.
Conclusions
I think this is going to be a divisive selection. Overall, I would say Chvches is a gateway drug into a lot of other music genres. Their overall synth pop sound is extremely approachable while also allowing listeners to dip their toes into a few different genres. If you like their older stuff you may be super into more electro-pop and EDM. Maybe their newer atmospheric, narrative driven work will get you into gothic music or even some industrial tracks. Oddly enough I really haven’t dove further into any of those genres, I just really enjoy Chvrches since the moment I first heard them. I saw them live a few years back at an alternative rock festival and they killed. They sounded great and were more than willing to break out into jam sessions that reminded me of the many rock acts I’ve seen before. I hope some of this music struck a chord with the rest of the group, I guess we’ll see in the rest of your reviews. As for me I’m going with a 7.8.
Cascella Family Reviews
Dad Cascella
Alright then, on to a musical group I know absolutely nothing about (other than knowing there’s a group called Chvrches). Let’s dive:
THE MOTHER WE SHARE- Keyboard, electronica pop (Oh No!!!) with soft singing. Not exactly my kind of music. Singers, Lauren Mayberry, voice is fine, really not much to it. And sorry, I read the lyrics multiple times and I guess they’re secret or cryptic, or just words on paper, Cause I have no idea what this song is about. Not the start I was looking for.
CLEAREST BLUE- Dance electronica music and beat. I’ll be looking for this one in live performance because I think, maybe, she has a nice, cute voice in this one, but this version is Soooo auto-tuned. Then at the 2:15 mark, WOW!!! Really Vincent? Do you really like this??? We get repeated, droning, electronic, synthesized beat with singer spacily repeating lyrics. And then I watched a few live versions, including Pitchfork Festival and Australia performance, and the auto-tune was going as strong as studio version. Song sounded exactly the same in all versions. Ugh!!!
LEAVE A TRACE- Okay, maybe we have something here. While it’s still the same old synthesized, electronica thump, the song has a pretty good beat. And her singing was definitely better, she actually stretches the vocals a little more. And the lyrics were better than what we’ve gotten previously. The musical spaciness at 2:45 leading back into the song was pretty good. The live versions I watched, including Austin City Limits, was so much better. She’s sounds very good live, she can actually sing without auto-tune. Would not have guessed this after listening to the first two songs. I liked this song, my first. I’ll mention at this point that yes, I haven’t yet mentioned other members Martin Doherty and Iain Cook because truly, there’s not much to talk about in the instrumentation.
BURY IT, Ft. Hayley Williams- Can Hayley save this band? NOPE!!! Pop song much like Taylor Swift music. I like Hayley and her voice, I gave PARAMORE a good rating because of her singing. But with CHVRCHES, and that droning electronica beat, and that auto-tune thrown in, YIKES!!! At this point I’m thinking someone kidnapped my son Vincent, and the demand to release him was that he has to say he likes this stuff. I only read Vincent’s intro, but I fear his review of this music will over-exceed my expectations and I’ll have to send him in for examination of brain damage. I’m having a tough time going on with these selections, but I’ll have a couple of whiskey’s, chased with beers, and storm on.
ASKING FOR A FRIEND- WOW, there’s so much about this song that could make it great. But with the same music and thumping and synth, it didn’t stand a chance. Finally, some really great, interesting lyrics. And even with a bit of auto-tune, Ms. Mayberry delivers them very good. The 2:20 mark shows my point. This should not be a club sounding, electronica dance song, the lyrics and singing are so much better than that. They should have put different music to it here and towards the end. Who the hell produced this?? It’s a crying shame. I’m actually pissed off that this song turned out like it did.
VIOLENT DELIGHTS- Wait a second, it that an actual drum I hear? It’s not doing too much, but I’m happy to finally be able to distinguish an actual instrument inside of the same old spacey, electronic, synthesized sound. Again, deeper and more interesting lyrics ( hope they’re not too autobiographical), but probably the most auto-tuned vocals I’ve heard yet. I don’t get it. Watch live versions of this song and maybe you’ll see my point. It’s such an interesting, and frankly very good song when done live. Band sound is more rockish, and she sings it so well, proving she doesn’t need so much enhancement to her vocals. Again, I’m pissed. Studio production of this band sucks.
HOW NOT TO DROWN Ft. Robert Smith- Okay, so now Robert Smith is gonna save this band. He’s a real cool addition, singing duet, to a real good song. Where was this before? Solid music, really good bass line, and very solid lyrics and singing. It all works. Yup, it’s definitely different. Some background spaciness throughout the music and towards the end of the song, but it all worked. While I really liked this one, I’m sure this bands producers hated it because so far they’ve been idiots.
HERE WITH ME, Marshmallow ft. CHVRCHES- There’s a lot to like, and a little to not like about this song. First 20 seconds open with acoustic guitar and very soft, almost child-like singing to start (like), followed by that music thumping (not like). Very cute song. After several listens, and live versions of course, this song really grew on me. Studio and live versions very similar. And she proves she has a very nice voice. Very nice Pop song. Found it interesting that the songs final 20 seconds was the same as the first 20 seconds, only with piano accompanying the vocal.
CRY LITTLE SISTER- had so much to write about for this one until my deep dive found it to be a cover, and done live by so many others. Real good opening, but at the 1:11 mark, why the same sound as previous songs? I would have preferred power chords, or some edginess at this point for a more dramatic sound. This song screams for a more rockish feel. (Side Note- I found a live version of this song from the original artist, G Tom Mac, and while the version was pretty awful, you could see he intended it to have a more rockish, edgier sound). With Lauren singing hauntingly and blissfully soft, I really wanted the buildup to take off, but it never does. I liked this version, but again, it could have been so much better if its producer had a pair of balls.
So that’s it for CHVRCHES. This dive was almost like listening to two separate musical artists. I really didn’t like 3 of the first 4 songs (actually hated them), fairly liked a few others, and really liked a couple. As previously stated, synthesized electronica is not my kind of music. Maybe if I was a guido, with my shirt wide open sporting a huge gold chain, looking to dance my night away to some thumping music, while sipping a lemon-tini or some other fruity concoction, then maybe, only maybe, I’d be more into this music. But I’m none of the above. I do believe that some of these songs could have been better (again, blame the producers), but I guess this is how CHVRCHES, the members, want to sound. Nothing to discuss regarding Martin or Iain. Lauren Mayberry has a good voice, I only wished it wasn’t so auto-tuned so much. Live versions prove she can sing. This was a hard rating for me, so I did something different. I rated each song individually, added them up, then divided by 9. CHVRCHES gets a 5.7
Your Rating:
0.0
Average Rating:
0 votes