CHVRCHES – The Bones Of What You Believe

CHVRCHES full-length debut is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2013, partly due to the familiarity of such slices of perfect synth-pop as The Mother We Share, Gun, Lies, and Recover, which combine widescreen musical bombast and sharp lyrical focus.

Lauren Mayberry's vocals contrast saccharine sweetness with a knowingly cynical, incisive lyricism, effortlessly outclassing lesser peers AlunaGeorge and Disclosure. They have more in common with the dark-edged, sugary fables of Purity Ring, although musically, they are closer to Chromatics and Com Truise's 80s-referencing synth excursions.

The hits are matched by the instantly infectious likes of We Sink, and the more introspective likes of Tether. The only weak links are Under The Tide and You Caught The Light – without Mayberry front and centre, CHVRCHES are a little less inspiring. The glitchy perfect pop of Lungs however is unmatched, guaranteeing the trio's dominance on a worldwide stage – they're simply irresistible; Scotland's finest pop band.