The CHVRCHES singer’s solo debut is a mixed bag of fiery pop and vulnerable balladry.
Over a decade as singer of Scottish synth-pop trio CHVRCHES, Lauren Mayberry developed from timid performer to confident frontwoman. Now she’s gone one better by becoming a solo artist and removing the shackles she felt from band life.
The 37-year-old’s solo debut Vicious Creature refreshingly opens the palette beyond her band’s alternative - albeit still accessible - style and into unashamed pop. To help this vision, an ensemble songwriting cast was formed to make this dream a reality, including Tobias Jesso Jr (Adele, Dua Lipa), Ethan Gruska (Shawn Mendes, Carly Rae Jepsen) and Dan McDougall (Rag’n’Bone Man, Sam Ryder).
Such sonic pop ambitions are laid bare from the off.
‘Something in the Air’ was written about a “pretty iconic” musician spouting conspiracy theories in her presence. It channels a ‘90s pop-rock vibe with repeated chorus cries of “Must be something in the air-air-air-air-air” both sugary and impactful.
“It's exhausting trying so hard all the time / Performative hypocrisy took over my mind” opens a frustrated Mayberry on glitzy anthem ‘Change Shapes’ which takes aim at music industry sexism. Meanwhile, ‘Crocodile Tears’ is a funky number of triumphant synth lines and cutting lyricism, again echoing the pop of Mayberry’s formative years.
Her upbeat pop style does become a little wearing after repeated listens, but the deeper cuts do bring redemption. ‘Sorry, Etc’ blends drum ‘n’ bass with ominous industrial rock giving edge seriously lacking elsewhere. Piano ballad ‘Oh, Mother’ sweetly explores the dynamics of a changing mother/daughter relationship, and she achieves a similar vulnerable vibe on homesick closer ‘Are You Awake’.
Lauren Mayberry describes becoming a solo artist as “an exercise in empowering myself to listen to my own intuition” and, even if feeling like a mixed bag at points, this debut offers an admirable start towards her journey of self-discovery.
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