CHVRCHES – Screen Violence: A Musical Journey

CHVRCHES has unveiled their eagerly awaited fourth studio album, Screen Violence, set to release on August 27th through EMI Records (UK) and Glassnote Records (US). The band has also dropped their second single, ‘How Not To Drown’, featuring the iconic Robert Smith from The Cure. This collaboration showcases a haunting blend of Smith’s distinct vocals with Lauren Mayberry’s, set against a dark, piano-driven backdrop that explores the struggle of staying afloat amidst chaos.

Recorded remotely between Los Angeles and Glasgow, the trio—Mayberry, Martin Doherty, and Iain Cook—self-produced the album via video calls and audio sharing, resulting in a unique sound that remains true to the essence of CHVRCHES. Originally intended as the band’s name, ‘Screen Violence’ has taken on new meaning during the pandemic, reflecting the pervasive theme of emotional isolation and trauma we face today. Through the lens of loneliness, heartbreak, and disillusionment, the album narrates the impact of screen violence in various forms—on screen, through screens, and by screens.

“I wanted to create something escapist,” says Mayberry, highlighting the personal nature of the lyrics woven into the album’s narrative. Doherty adds, “The screen aspect became quite literal; our lives were lived through screens during the album’s creation.” Celebrating a decade of music, CHVRCHES has defined their sound since their breakout album, The Bones of What You Believe, and continues to evolve with Screen Violence. Following the release of ‘He Said She Said’, called ‘A predictably huge song’ by Vulture, this album is a must-listen for fans looking to buy indie music albums.