Critique of 'Vicious Creature' by Lauren Mayberry: Rediscovery of Expressive Solo Vocals from Chvrches' Lead Singer
Article Rewrite:
Letting loose her repressed emotions, Lauren Mayberry, the fierce Chvrches frontwoman, sets the record straight with her searing solo venture, 'Vicious Creature.' After a decade at the helm of the Scottish synth-pop trio, Mayberry's confessions on the industry's entrenched misogyny were long overdue. In her stirring soliloquy, she delves into feelings she couldn't or wouldn't address within Chvrches, revealing a kaleidoscope of unexplored emotions musically unshackled from her band's electronic soundscapes.
Taking a bold step, Mayberry unleashes the turbulent undercurrents of 'Vicious Creature.' Her fiery anthem, 'Something in the Air,' is a resounding outcry that echoes in defiance after a famed British musician peddled conspiracy theories in her presence. The kitschy romp of 'Crocodile Tears' channels the New Romantic-inspired frenzy, delivering sharp wit as she purrs, "Maybe I'm a villain, but I find it kind of exciting when you cry." The haunting 'Mantra' immerses listeners in her shadowy world, with Mayberry's warped, repetitive mantra of "I want, I want, I want it" weaving a trance-like spell.
The drama doesn't falter with the energized 'Punch Drunk' and sultry 'Change Shapes,' yet their basslines hint at a nostalgic early 2010s girl power pop charm. While 'Sorry, Etc' and 'Sunday Best' straddle the line between a riot grrrl ruckus and sunny radio beats, they seem to be short on contemporary flair. However, the ballads 'Are You Awake' and 'Oh, Mother' showcase Mayberry's tender side, unveiling her softly spoken vulnerability that rarely surfaced in Chvrches.
'Vicious Creature' showcases a broad sonic spectrum, a stark deviation from Chvrches' twisted world in their 2021 album 'Screen Violence.' At times, it can feel like an ideation laboratory instead of a cohesive artistic statement. Yet Mayberry charges ahead, carving her solo path, leaving fans eager to follow her further as she digs deeper into her solo artistry.
This opinion article was first published by NME on December 6, 2024
Additional Insights:
- 'Vicious Creature' is Mayberry's solo debut, released under EMI record label
- Influences for her solo work range from Sinead O'Connor, Fiona Apple, and PJ Harvey, to British girl groups and musicals
- Themes in 'Vicious Creature' reflect Mayberry's personal experiences and identities more intimately than with Chvrches
- Musically, 'Vicious Creature' represents a creative departure, showcasing a darker, more introspective, or rebellious edge in comparison to Chvrches' synth-pop sound
- Lauren Mayberry's solo attempt, 'Vicious Creature,' seamlessly blends elements of funk, pop, and electronic music, showcasing a creative departure from Chvrches' synth-pop soundscapes.
- The powerful ballad 'Oh, Mother' from 'Vicious Creature' offers a glimpse of Mayberry's softer side, exhibiting influences from artists like Fiona Apple and Sinead O'Connor.
- The kitschy 'Crocodile Tears' in 'Vicious Creature' displays Mayberry's musical versatility, demonstrating a flair for New Romantic-inspired pop and electronic entertainment.
