More about: Chvrches

Ever wanted to get more into CHVRCHES but not known where to start beyond the singles? Well, with the upcoming release of their fourth album Screen Violence, there sure is a cracking opportunity to throw open the door ready for 27 August…

Here are 11 CHVRCHES songs which are definitely underrated and deserve more love and attention. 

'Now Is Not The Time'

It’s an older code but it checks out: ‘Now Is Not The Time’ first appeared in 2013 on the band’s debut EP. A tender B-side and perfect for a stress relieving cry, it was one of the first signs that this band weren’t just going to disappear with Lauren Mayberry’s lyrics full of imagery – “nothing now can ever come between us, as we hide and watch the city burn” – and the band’s production hitting that perfect sad spot to produce a solitary tear for many upon their first listen. 

'Tether'

‘Tether’ is a hidden weapon of a song. When it first starts, the guitar and Mayberry’s vocals lead you to think it might even be a filler track… yet it is anything but. You see, when Mayberry sings “I’m feeling capable of seeing the end, I’m feeling capable of saying it’s over” something special is about to happen. When the synths hit, the song switches and ascension begins. Mayberry’s auto-tuned vocals soar above sparkling synths and it is simply fucking magnificent. 

'Science/Visions'

What do you get when you combine creeping synths, a pulse of intensity, and ethereal vocals? You get ‘Science/Visions’. The track from CHVRCHES’ first album The Bones Of What You Believe remains a highlight in their live shows with its pounding drums and majestic build up. The track conjures up feelings of strobe lights on city streets in the midnight hour and is an absolute belter. 

'By The Throat'

For a while, ‘By The Throat’ closed the bands live shows, and it features some of Mayberry’s best lyrical works with lines such as “all that’s golden is never real” and “you know you go too far” serving as warnings against the song’s antagonist. To think there is a world out there where it didn’t even make The Bones of What You Believe - but we are very glad that it did. 

'Dead Air'

Originally appearing on the soundtrack for the third Hunger Games film, ‘Dead Air’ deserves much more than to be forgotten like that. With its message of hope and holding on to ideas, ‘Dead Air’ is a magnificent entry in the band’s canon and if anything they should bring it back live and show it the love it deserves!

'Get Away'

In 2014, BBC Radio 1 embarked on a project to re-score the film Drive, which is where ‘Get Away’ was born. It even ended up as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of their second album Every Open Eye and much like the film it was written for, it conjures up pulsing pink neon lights and is an all-round tip-top pop tune. 

'Down Side of Me'

This is one of surprisingly few songs the band have said would be a bit too difficult for them to perform live which is a shame. ‘Down Side of Me’ is from Every Open Eye’and is a bit more uplifting than its sombre title would suggest. A song of hope for even those darkest times, it’s almost a perfect example of why CHVRCHES are so bloody good. 

'Warning Call'

It should be a crime that ‘Warning Call’ hasn’t been played live yet. Dropped in May 2016 as part of the soundtrack for the game ‘Mirror’s Edge Catalyst’, it was made for the live arena with its soaring chorus and shimmering synths. Yet, it’s not made an appearance on the band’s set-lists at the time of writing and it remains very much unappreciated and hidden in the band’s back catalogue. 

'Deliverance'

For Love Is Dead, the band tried something new, and this almost electronic Coldplay-esqe track is an example of that. You can almost hear Chris Martin crooning away over this one (sorry Lauren!). It's not an immediate hitter but grows with almost every listen and the chorus is bound to eventually run rings around your head. It’s a deliverance (heh) of sorts that this song is so bloody good, even as a grower. 

'Really Gone'

‘Really Gone’ is one of those songs you have to stop and listen to with the simplicity of the songwriting and Mayberry’s magnificent vocal performance. In another life, the lyrics would have found their way in a dramatic emo banger rather than as one of the best ballads in recent memory, but that’s a testament to the strength of Mayberry’s writing. It’s a song for reflection with a lump in your throat and it is just unreal how perfect it is. 

'Wonderland'

The closing track on the band’s third album Love Is Dead, 'Wonderland' feels like the perfect last song on this list. “We live in a wonderland like blood isn’t on our hands, when will it be enough?” hits perfectly as a metaphor for modern society. The song’s simple melody, programmed drums, and driving bass all combine with Mayberry’s vocals to create something truly great, just go listen to it to find out why. 

Screen Violence arrives 27 August.

More about: Chvrches