Chvrches – Every Open Eye

Chvrches’ success comes in waves. One minute they’re propelled at you with a force of nigh on impossible might, and the next they’ve faded into a world of melodic anonymity. What they ultimately need is to harvest their unique sound into an album that will never see them forgotten about again. But Every Open Eye is not that album.

When you listen to Chvrches you expect to experience a sanguine electro-pop sound, with vaguely astute lyrics. In that respect the group have excelled in their latest creation, fashioning a collection of songs that release a blissful resonance. However, what the album lacks is open emotion, growth and any form of a relatable creative struggle.

The trio’s characteristic 80s sound is in full-swing throughout the album, with tracks like Leave a Trace and Never Ending Circles making you genuinely question whether or not you’ve slipped into the aforementioned era. Yet, with the typical 80s pop sound of minimal depth, they won’t be songs that you’ll treasure until the end of time. They’re merely a catchy little distraction for the interim.

Certainly, there are some stand-out tracks on Every Open Eye, but these are walled in securely by gap-fillers that have tied an unnecessary dead weight to the album. Keep You on My Side is one of the assenting songs, which delivers a nebulously cheesy, feel- good sound that you’ll enjoy regardless of how ridiculous it makes you feel. On the contrary though, Clearest Blue expels a tediously repetitive ennui that has evidently been constructed to make up the numbers. Why artists feel the need to lower the tone of their attainment by doing this is a question that could reduce a music lover to a vehement fit of tears.

However, it is refreshing to see a glimmer of experimentation on the horizon for the group. Afterglow is a tranquil melody that stands far away from the other featured tracks. Lauren Mayberry’s sweet voice is used as the main instrument and this creates something modest yet fiercely beautiful, with thoughtful lyrics. This is a fresh sound that works well for the group and one that they should progress with on their next creative venture.

All in all, Every Open Eye mostly supplies us with the predictable conventions that Chvrches are so fiercely fixed to. Perhaps it’s greedy to be longing for more substance, but that is the taste that the album will leave in your mouth.

Keira Trethowan

Every Open Eye was released on 25^th September 2015, for further information or to order the album visit here.

Watch the video for Leave a Trace here: