Album Review: Love Is Dead, CHVRCHES

Chvrches arrived fully formed. Many bands would kill to write a hit like ‘The Mother We Share’ after a decade in the game, let alone put it out on their debut EP. From the get-go it was clear that the Glasgow trio were reaching for the top – and with their keen ear for wide-eyed pop songwriting, they knew how to get there. Now they face their biggest hurdle yet: diminishing returns. What to do when two albums of great pop, US TV appearances, remixes by EDM mega-DJs and a feature on The Hunger Games soundtrack only gets you so far? It is a tough one. As the title may tell you, Love Is Dead sees Chvrches get cynical. Grammy-winning Adele producer Greg Kurstin is on board to help double down on the pop ambitions and radio friendliness. There’s a feeling of throwing the kitchen sink at it – the choruses are huge and the hooks immediate. The new formula works best on the powerful ‘Forever’, which really lifts off with its shimmering arpeggi.   In production terms, the tradeoff is a loss of the kind of space that previously allowed the wonderful Lauren Mayberry’s vocals to thrive. Over a full album, it is perhaps all too much. The standout track here is ‘My Enemy’, where The National’s Matt Berninger provides a fantastic contrast and some much-needed moments of quiet introspection – and isn’t that what Chvrches are for anyway? Out May 25

Rating: 6/10