The Bones Of What You Believe

A band truly ahead of its time. This album is from 2013 and already sounded like AI slop.

What absolute tripe. This is insanely bad.

Propper Scots synth-pop.

I'd heard of the band with the mysteriously placed V in its name for a while, but never checked them out. This album is wonderful. Their synth-pop sound is both nostalgic, but also feels more of the current moment than your typical 80s sound. And the female vocals are so clear and pure sounding, although the subject matter maybe a little less so. I've listened to this one twice so far, liking it even more the second go around. This album straddles the line between 4 and 5, and I think it nudges just slightly in the upward direction.

“Dear diary, my teen angst bullshit has a body count.” Heathers (1989)

It's happy. It's tech. It's something you'd find at a late night dance party in an abandoned NYC warehouse. And you'd probably just know it was right.

For a brief moment in our history, music like this practically ruled the party scene. It was a beautiful time to be alive. Bands like CHVRCHES, NERO, Bastille, Avicii, and Skrillex truly brought electronic dance music (EDM) to the mainstream and were incredibly successful. Whether you enjoyed it or not, it was practically a Disco renaissance and people were loving it. This album came out when I was in college and I went to house parties that bumped this until the cops got called in the witching hours of the morning. This music is what I associate the most fun years of my life with and because of that I can actually appreciate what's happening here. It's simple, it's repetitive, and it's got lyrics that give you hope. Hope for the morning, hope for the night, hope for the world you're living in. It's immaculate vibes and pairs perfectly with jello shots and a room full of people moving on the dance floor. Overall I'm giving it a 6/10 for the soul fact that those days are gone and this kind of music has been basically pushed back underground. It's rare to hear this music unless you're seeking it out and for that it can be off-putting to modern audiences. Plus I never really liked CHVRCHES out of the group previously mentioned. They were a little slow for my taste but they do have the same synth-filled sound of that era.

Look, it’s not great, complex or interesting. But you must understand that in the few years post 2008 crisis there was a short bit of time where music was less ironic and cynical. You get things like the lumineers, and this. This could not exist in the post-post-irony corporatocracy 2026 America

a less spicy version of crystal castles

I haven't listened to CHVRCHES for a long time, but boy did it take me back tot the time I did. Back then I loved their sound and I still do. The singers voice and the nicely produced electronic synth music makes it top tier for me. 9.5/10

reminds me a lot of high school and the music of that time, very nostalgic. perfect scrolling through tumblr album. very specific time or place for this one but pleasantly surprised. teens forever!!!

Not my favorite. It feels very early 2000s and I’m not interested in the singers voice

Cool sound, going to dive more into this band

inte min kopp te

Ok

2021’s Screen Violence is one of favourite albums. I like recommend people giving that a listen as it’s so much better than this one. This is fine, and has its moments, but also has moments of lacklustre and which takes away from the brilliance that the Chvrches have become. I was happy to listen to this again, but will stay cherry picking songs from it alongside much better tracks from them elsewhere.

It was fine, probably better than fine but it didn't really grab me

CHVRCHES – The Bones of What You Believe (2013) Fire vocals and all around atmospheric performance but not my cup of tea. I liked The Mother We Share, Marryberry's performance on We Sink, and Tether (Underrated). 3

Call me Leo the way I love chvrches

Staan wat bangers op, maar voelt wel echt al als een best oude plaat, niet tijdloos te noemen

Kleine 4 sterren, vanwege nostalgie en een aantal enorme hits. Ik wil wel benoemen dat deze plaat enorme problemen heeft: het heeft ge-aged als een glas melk en klinkt veel ouder dan het is, de productie is schel en lelijk en het album is veel langer dan het zou moeten zijn. Toch: nummers als The Mother We Share, Gun, Lies en Recover zijn super catchy en warm. Ben ook altijd groot fan van vocals waar je een accent, in dit geval Schots, doorheen kan horen. Onder aan de streep dus toch een leuk, maar flawed, debuut.

I had heard Of this album, but I never gave it a listen 'til now, but goddamn, if it isn't some damn good synthpop. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. That’s pretty slick synthpop; yes, it’s in the faux-80s style that later got a bit overdone to death by The Weeknd & others, but when it’s done this well in a way that just kind of feels futuristically freeing, I can’t find myself complaining too much about it. A lot of this album sits in a poppy, yet somber take on that style, with a lot of tracks dealing with relationships that lead singer Lauren Mayberry practically begs would end, or are riddled with so many issues that they’re probably just too untenable to maintain. It’s the topic of the album, and while it might lead to a little bit of a “this album is the same song 12 times” vibe, I think that undermines the writing (which does a good job of keeping tracks fresh), the vocal structures (all pretty catchy) & the variety in the production (it’s there, you just have to be paying attention). Lauren’s voice is a little high at first, but once you get used to it, she sounds quite nice. Whenever Martin Doherty comes in or takes over, his deeper tones clash well, playing into a good harmony. My favorites here are “Gun”, “Under the Tide”, “Recover”, “Lungs”, & “By the Throat”, due to a mix of effective storytelling, really dynamic beat drops, and an energy that just feels vibrant to the ears (even if it contrasts with the lyrics at times). “By the Throat” might be my very favorite one, if only because I like the idea of shattering a seemingly golden life because you can recognize that it’s all a facade. “Recover” might have the best vocal structure on the album, though. I see why it has the second most plays on the album; there’s a big Porter Robinson energy to it that really hit for me. I think that might be why I liked this album a lot. Overall, I’m impressed. A lot of these still feel like they could fit nicely into 2026, and while this style has been overdone in the 13 years since, I think this is a great early example of it. The band themselves producing this whole thing is a cherry on top; I love it when musicians can execute a vision in full totality, and with all the layers & complexities in putting these synths together, it would’ve been easy for some of it to feel a little too blown out in the mix or a little muddled. It sounds super clean though, and while that lack of grime might throw off some people (probably not the target audience anyway), I think it really worked for me. It helps that it’s got an indie game vibe to it throughout. I’m at a 5, and I’m glad it’s on the list.

Electro pop vibes. Not my unusual go to artist. Sounds fresh

Just a little to poppy for my taste but appreciated the musicianship

Pleasantly surprised by this, the album ends stronger than it starts. I still think they're overhyped but it's not a bad album, Science/Visions is a highlight for me

Started off with vlog music lol. Much better than I thought this was gonna be yet again. Always nice to be pleasantly surprised. Based on the name of the group, I thought it would be indie rock shite, but nah synth pop always has the ability to slay. Had a lovely walk to this, perhaps it gets a little bit samey after so many songs, but there were some class songs here, especially at the start.

Sympa, entre l'électro et la pop un peu commerciale mais plutôt sympa

Plutôt sympa j'ai bien aimé la vibe

I forgot the grip that The Mother We Share had on the UK

It's just so Porter Robinson-coded, I have to love it. It's kind of funny. I'm not a 2010s pop person at all, and yet this exact kind of pop music always gets to me a little. Maybe it's because I grew up on the shittiest of Roblox/Minecraft intro music dubstep (not that this is shitty or dubstep). Anyways, the music's great. There are some truly transcendent songs on here, like The Mother We Share and Science/Visions, but there are some others that have their atmosphere broken a little early for me. I just thought about it and now the lack of Porter Robinson on the list is making me sad.

Pretty bland and derivative synth pop. Catchy in places but pretty forgettable.

asd

I found it unremarkable. Not bad, but didn't really keep my attention.

picked me up from my mid-20s ennui and plopped me right back into 2013, riding school busses, sparkly synthpop blasting in my ears. i don’t think early 2010s indie pop has aged quite as well as i would’ve hoped, but listening it puts me in a headspace that i no longer think i could reach organically. i wonder how many of my reviews up to this point are just explaining the concept of nostalgia (at least 5?).

Like drinking a McDonald's Sprite with your ears but not in a bad way. Holy shit I'm amazed by this, I'll be honest. Really, really strong, the perfect example of a 9/10. Just a damn good time and further proof that Glasgow is one of the best music cities of all time.

4.5

This was so big at the time I don’t think you could escape it. I forgot how many of these songs were regularly played on radio, commercials, tv shows and movies. I think I could distinctly pick out 5 songs I’ve heard a bunch of times though never by choice. Production was 80s throwback that probably started this sounds return in pop music but it’s also so compressed and in your face I don’t love it. Not bad, not great.

Not my thing at all. Did not like.

I guess it has held up this long, so maybe it’ll last as a classic? I just feel bad for the guy that clearly must insist on singing on one track per album. It makes me sad.

Seeing the release date on this made me feel old. A good pop album that’s stretched a little thin partially by its runtime - trim five minutes across the whole thing and I think it’d be even stickier. Polished and full of motion. It’s reaching for something I don’t think it ever quite gets to, with a few exceptions (the opening track, “We Sink”, “Science/Visions”). I am curious about what they did after this, though.

Sehr filmmusik mässig, aber so uf moderne/zeichettickfilm, finds eig nöd schlecht würs aber nöd i minere freiziit lose, passt richtig i die ziit vom tempo und de elektronische sounds/beats her Extremi radiomusik darum warschinlich au erfolgrich Sehr energetisch, „tether“ chli weniger aber immerno recht stark „Under the tide“ sehr andere vibe wills au vomene maa gsunge wird und nöd nur wo de frau

Definitely a nostalgic sound here, and I thoroughly enjoyed the first three tracks. I enjoyed the dichotomy between the dark lyrics and the bubbly pop sound. Overall, though, the album’s catchiness died for me after the third track. Reminded me of bands like Cults and Passion Pit.

hahaha so 2013 und we sink meeega fifa song. fifa 13? afoch au vo schottland hä. langsam findis nüme lustig. ok tether het en recht geile drop. au wenns extreeem 2013 isch. ok bin am schwanke zwüsched ich find s hittet mega mit de luute offene synths und ich finds uuuhuere cheesy und dated und scheiss dimery afoch nume schottischi bands??? bim letste song töneds endlich truurig gloomy schottisch. ich glaub ich mues es 3 geh wells mi zum teil schono inezoge het aber BRUUUUDI isch das nöd es album wo do druf ghört. aso ich bin am hate, sie sind chli cool gsi und alles aber irgendwie fühls sich unverdient ah.

ohh sie het na e cooli stimm! hä banger?? ich hett nöd denkt, dass das mier si gfallt aber bis jz findis mega cool, es het so e gwüssi positivität wo vlt au sehr typisch 2010er isch aber mich iwie grad mega abholt iwenn findis vlt au chli ermüedend aber momentan gfalltsmer recht sie het scho sehr e quängelndi stimm aber ich han das halt iwie na gern RECOVER KENN ICH HÄ VO WO OMGGG I GIVE YOU ONE MORE CHAANCE ich glaub ich han vor iwie 10 jahr e churzi obession mit dem lied gha jaaa es isch teilwiis scho 2010er und weiss jz nöd wie nötig das album uf dere liste isch aber mit dere hoffnig han ich scho lang abgschlosse...han aber sehrsehr spass gha mitem album!

Overall Rating - 2.92/5 (5.83/10). Competently done, even if not something I enjoy.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Lush synth-pop with plenty of catchy tunes - an enjoyable listen.

It seems like they are good at what they do, but indie synth pop is just not very appealing to me. The 80's sheen is also something to which I am averse.

Decent. Probably would just be a background album. Vocals are clean. Synths are there. A lot.

OK. 2/5

I actually think this is really good music 😊 Four stars…

Owned. Fabulous debut by a fabulous band

I’m enjoying this

A very generous 3. Catchy at times, predictable at others. Not my favorite. I'm glad that I heard the whole album.

Absolutely wonderful album with incredible synth sounds. To get something that sounds this good takes real skill with production, and for what's basically their debut in this format - bonkers.

Very nice album.

Sonido interesante, pero no me termina de atrapar. Siento que no destaca mucho aunque tengas algunas canciones buenas.

I didn't know we could listen to music like this! i think i heard something about my mother, which i did not appreciate them talking about! Maybe next time they'll be kinder to her!

The best of like early 2010s indie synthpop. Lots to like

i don’t really like the vocalist but maybe that’s a me problem

Неплохо, но и не супер, приторно как-то

CHVRCHES' The Bones of What You Believe is a decent 3/5 album that starts strong before ultimately fizzling out. Driven by Lauren Mayberry’s great vocal delivery, early highlights like "The Mother We Share" and "We Sink" immediately hook you with a clear stylistic vision. However, the momentum cannot sustain itself. Mid-to-late tracks like "Gun," "Lies," and "Lungs" feel flat, and even the better cuts like "Tether" drag on a bit too long. While there are undeniable gems hidden in the tracklist—including the breakup-infused "Recover" and the driving beats of "Science/Visions"—too many misses prevent the record from living up to its full potential.

Run of the mill, listenable

Liked it a lot

Nice

i don't get it

Aquela sensação agridoce comumente presente em discos da década de 2010 está aqui em peso. Vai além de uma nostalgia, visto que nunca ouvi Chvrches antes. É algo inominável. Mas que eu gosto, acho agradável, apesar que o som é bem datado quando cuidadosamente analisado. Mas não ligo. Me perco nos graves pulsantes, nos sintetizadores faux-retro e nos vocais hipsters. Esses vocais femininos são certamente o destaque do álbum. As canções sem a cantora são chatas. Ela carrega o disco. Dá a ele uma sensação mágica, auxiliada pela sonoridade que, em meu caso, me remete à minha adolescência, a tudo aquilo que vivi e também o que não vivi. Divertido e bonito. 4/5

meh

I’m completely unfamiliar. So… is it British? Yeah. Is it British? ✔️ Does it belong on the list? ❌ This album was REALLY REALLY hard for me to get through. Difficult to put my finger on exactly what the problem is, but I can definitely say this is awful s*! Elements of it I should be into. Which is why I’m musing here, not just writing this whole thing off. But man. I sure wanted to get away from this whole sound. Didn’t make me want to dance. Made me want to cry. 2 Boolean: False

Worth listenening

I love CHVRCHES, and even though this is their weakest album in my opinion I'm glad that they have a place on the list. They reach much greater heights on Every Open Eye and Screen Violence. But this is still a great time with some bangers that sound like the 2010s in the best way. Night Sky and Gun slap, but The Mother We Share is the highlight. Fantastic song, beautiful vocals. The songs with Lauren singing are by far the best ones here.

Good fun

I have a soft spot for this era and genre of music. It makes me happy. Now there are no tracks on here that make me go we need to play this album, but I'd definitely throw it on for that 2010's vibe.

Very sweet to be celebrating my wedding anniversary and get an album that came out the same year we got married! ❤️

I like the album but question the validity of being in this list. Perhaps it’s more meaningful to a younger generation.

Scottish trio reimagines Krautrock, with better technology.

Some nice lyrics, but the synth-ness got to be a smidge redundant.

If I'm going to like an electronic album, it's probably going to be synth pop. I like the sound here and will likely put it on again, but the songs did kind of blur together by the end.

Sympa, pas énormément d’intérêt dans la liste imo

For starters, I absolutely despise artists that use symbols or the wrong letters in their names. It's not edgy, and it's not cute. That aside, this album sounds AI-"written". Overproduced, so much synth that it makes your ears hurt, uninspired, unoriginal, occasionally interesting lyrics that don't fit the instruments or tempo of the song, with lead vocals that sounds a little too fake or autotuned to be real. I don't really understand why this is on this list - and not even because I don't like it. It's just... not good.

Some interesting melodies and vocal performances, but already feels a little dated.

Elektropop, ei todellakaan minun genreni. Mutta noin vain albumi nappasi tiukan otteen jo ensimmäisestä biisistä lähtien. Purkkapoppikertsit vaan toimii tällä bändillä jotenkin paremmin kuin monilla muilla. Paras biisi lopun By the throat. 4/5

This passed me by when it was released - it came out when my kids were quite young so radio wasn’t getting much of a spin, more likely kids music!!! Synth pop has a tendency to sound all a bit the same, which this can fall victim to at times, but sometimes a groove would punch through and I’d find myself nodding my head. I think the temptation with this sort of programmed stuff is to always have something happening, and to add layers, with the result that sometimes there is no space left in the recording. Not bad, and I will look to check out their later recordings, to see where they go from here

Really solid overall … though some remixes are a lot better than the originals. Really enjoyed the beats and lyrics throughout 4

This is archetypal above-average debut. They are having fun, exploring their soundscapes, creating enjoyable music. The lyrics are curious, in that they occasionally eschew comprehesion in favour of musical cohesion, but it largely works here (less so in their 2nd LP). I like it.

Great new electro-pop.

I want to give this 5 stars so badly!! The mother we share! But it’s a little sonically repetitive. Still freaking great

Cool album, synth pop

I really grew to love Chvrches with their Love is Dead album so I was excited to see their name pop up on here. Unfortunately, out of their 4 albums this is my least favorite. More like 'the bones of what they would become'. Still one of the best live shows I've seen though, go see them if you get the chance

Pleasantly surprised to see CHVRCHES make this list. Admittedly I can't give an objective review for this one, as their music was on heavy rotation in my latter college years and I have fond memories of that time in my life. They helped open my eyes to synth/pop as a genre. That said, the album as a whole isn't perfect, as it has touches of repetitiveness here and there. But overall, it's excellent. Highly recommend blasting it in the car on the highway late at night.

Not bad. 3 stars

Generic...

Toto mi neurobilo ani chuť, ani náladu. Napriek pozitívnym recenziam, ktoré som o skupine čítal, si ma nikdy nezískali.

I’m from Glasgow and I cannae stand her voice, shame cause the tunes are good. Reckon I’d prefer their heavier stuff. Top bops: The mother we share Under the tide You caught the light

No

Hooked from the first seconds. The album mellowed down throughout the middle.

Really infectious electro-pop tunes. For some reason I thought it’d be a little darker or grittier (as British electronics/ club music tends to be). But no, it’s just bouncy little melodies and fetching female vocals. 4.5 stars

3,5-4 stars

Synth pop evoking the 80s? Sounds overproduced and it has the hooks you hear on contemporary pop songs. You know, the ones that are in every song because they are all composed by the same 3 people. Though that doesn’t seem to be the case here, the sound is still there and it’s distracting to me. And a bit disappointing, because I grew up on 80s pop. It’s a decent album, but after reading the reviews (mistake?), I expected a more 80s sound. 3.25 stars

this had some tunes on it i enjoyed it