Once the lead singer of iconic Glaswegian Synth-Pop band CHRVCHES, Lauren Mayberry has come out swinging on her first solo album ‘Vicious Creature’.
Both a deeply emotional album and a empowering cry for change, ‘Vicious Creature’ is a varied listen that sees Mayberry fully embrace what makes her style of music so unique and beloved. The change seen in her solo debut is clear from the get go as ‘Vicious Creature’ is a very different shift for Mayberry.
Through the albums twelve song track list Mayberry experiments with moving piano ballads and reflective acoustic songs that fully demonstrate her range as a musician.
In the press release for the album Mayberry talks of her excitement over being able to explore new sounds and write more personally than she was able to when she was part of CHVRCHES.
As a solo debut ‘Vicious Creature’ is moving and deeply interesting, but the musical shifts often lead to the album having an inconsistent tone that leaves it feeling disjointed.
Though Mayberry’s solo debut is a big change in style for her, her Synth-Pop roots can be still be heard, especially in album opener ‘ Something In The Air’.
‘Something In The Air’ opens the album with a bang, sounding like its ripped right out of CHRVCHES playbook. Mayberry’s new found energy is heard in her powerful delivery which continues straight into the next song ‘Crocodile Tears’. A big part of the albums sound is established in this song, sweeping synths, subdued percussion and funky bass lines are all present and continue to become defining traits of the album.
‘Shame’ has a dominant synth during the verse and a catchy bridge that completely changes the beat. Beat switches are used a couple times across the album but they are never done as well as they are in ‘Shame’. ‘Anywhere But Dancing’ is a complete tone shift, introducing a new side to Mayberry’s music, that being her ability to create heart warming and moving acoustic music. It’s a fresh song but it sticks out as being very different compared to the other songs on the album.
‘Punch Drunk’ has a very catchy bridge and chorus that sees Mayberry sing about a mental night on the town, it’s a song that’s bound to go down well in the clubs. ‘Oh, Mother’ is another somber song that sees Mayberry reflect on her relationship with her Mother, it’s a sweet but sad listen that’s bound to get a tear from even the hardest of listener on first listen.
‘Sorry, ETC’ is an energetic electronic song that does away with the pop style ‘Vicious Creature’ established in the previous songs, it’s a great tone shift and a clear sign of Mayberry’s versatility when it comes to tackling new genres. ‘Change Shapes’ brings the energy back down as the soft pop sound is re-established. It’s one of the weaker songs on the album but it’s not a bad song.
‘Mantra’ is a hypnotic synth heavy tune that stands out with the catchy lyrics and the repeated chorus of “I want, I want, I want it”. ‘A Work Of Fiction’ is a memorable tune that has Mayberry reflecting on a relationship seeing that it wasn’t as pure as it seemed in the moments, it’s a richly complex song that’s only enriched by the piano that drives the song forward.
‘Sunday Best’ is a great bit of optimism coming off of the previous song, it’s similar to other songs on the album but Mayberry’s incredible vocals make it well worth a listen. ‘Are You Awake?’ caps the album off on a low note with it being one more piano ballad. It’s tender, emotional and Mayberry’s vocal range is put on full display. Even though it’s not a highlight of the album, it’s still a great song.
Emotionally captivating and moving all at the same time ‘Vicious Creature’ is a marvel when it comes to Scottish music in 2024.Lauren Mayberry has successfully delivered an exciting first album outside of her work in CHVRCHES and it’s well worth a listen for fans of the synth-pop outfit.