The Synth-Pop band from Scotland has released their third album "Love is Dead". The first few singles were worrying as they mostly had very repetetive choruses, although the album as a whole isn't all that bad and kind of surprising.
The opening track "Graffiti" is a really fun and bubbly opener, it really serves its purpose with lyrics unique to the band's vocalist Lauren Mayberry. "I've been waiting waiting for my whole life to grow old and now we never will" is probably one of the most memorable lyrics on the whole album and explains its purpose of telling a story about heartbreak, hope, love and the debate on whether love is alive or dead.
The lead single "Get Out" is another track that doesn't depart too far from their original style, although the influence of the main producer Greg Kurstin really starts showing. The album has lots of repetetive choruses and a few redundant lyrics just to make it feel like it has a more global appeal and to make it more widely accessible. While i don't know if it was too damaging to their originality and authenticity, it definetly gave them a more standart pop sound.
The influence of Greg Kurstin especially comes through in the track "Miracle", a track that has an almost Imagine Dragons-esque chorus. I doubt that this is the direction CHVRCHES should take if they want to provide more quality material, but we can appreciate this track on its own, because it truly isn't that bad, even though the band loses lots of genuinity in it.
The epitome of repetetive choruses comes into play in the track "Never Say Die", but I cannot criticize it too much, becauase it's so light and sweet that you can't help but smile and feel happy.
All in all, the band's third album is not a masterpiece and feels less authentic than the previous two, but it's definetly not their low point, because "Love Is Dead" has lots of moments that are really appealing to the listener. In my opinion Lauren's vocals have improved a lot too! It's less genuine, but definetly fun and interesting.
Rating: 3/5