Chvrches – Every Open Eye

It fizzes with the jolting electricity that it takes to jump-start a lifeless situation, and wields more razzle-dazzle than Chvrches’ debut dared to attempt – delicious camp and Cyndi Lauper brass pops up alongside quieter moments that only make the stakes seem higher.

Stream the new album in full below, via NPR.

Chvrches’ second record, Every Open Eye, occupies similar emotional terrain, but this time, Mayberry isn’t interested in the spoils of revenge.

What their debut lacked in thematic unity and consistency, it’s made up for on sophomore album Every Open Eye with the sort of songcraft that belied the fact that they had all come from vastly different musical backgrounds. Never one to give over to Swiftian princess platitudes or over-aggression, Mayberry remains a warm and dignified pop lyricist, whether cutting an ex down powerfully in the skyscraping Leave A Trace or leading the empowering call of Make Them Gold in its anthemic 80s pomp.

The album takes its name from a lyric in “Clearest Blue“, a track that appears mid-way through the record.

In truth, the single recalls the best of Chvrches’ early work, namely the effervescent opening cut to The Bones of What You Believe, “The Mother We Share”. Every Open Eye offers no apologies, no caveats, no halfway measures.

Members Iain Cook, Martin Doherty, and Lauren Mayberry are known for incorporating intense beat drops and unpredictable breaks in their tracks. It’s a stirring closer, and a hint, perhaps, that the next album will take some more chances.