For the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2013 breakthrough debut, Scottish electro-pop trio Chvrches wanted to make a record that was as accessible as possible without losing their 80s synth revivalism sound.
Every Open Eye will appeal equally to Swifties obsessed with 1989 and Chvrches’ original contingent of fans. Many of these songs could become singles or bona fide pop anthems, like Clearest Blue, a dancey track with pillowy synths and drums that increase in urgency as vocalist Lauren Mayberry shouts, “Will you meet me more than halfway there?” just as the song erupts into a frenzy.
Along with catchy choruses, the album gets pop cred for its streamlined approach. While the three-piece haven’t lost their penchant for texture, this time a “less is more” ethos takes them back to the basics of melody and rhythm. This means there are fewer musical surprises, though one comes when Martin Doherty takes over lead vocals for a song, seemingly out of nowhere. It makes Mayberry’s return to the mic even sweeter.
Top track: Clearest Blue
Chvrches play the Danforth Music Hall on October 4 and 5.
