Fans of PVRIS have been waiting since 2014 for the trio from Massachusetts to release their new album. Their previous album White Noise charted in both US and UK and tracks such as ‘My House’ and ‘St Patrick’ reached exceptional levels in several Billboard and Independent Charts.
PVRIS set their new album up for high expectation before the audience even hear anything. The title of the album quotes Emily Dickinson, a poem about the loss of love and senses of hopelessness which PVRIS incorporate into their sounds.
Vocalist Lynn Gunn is a force to be reckoned with on this album, vocals burning with emotion and almost cutting at some points. Musically the trio have taken a step further to their trademark style. Guitarist Alex Babinski and bassist Brian MacDonald inject a sense of desperation into the track which reflects the emotions just as much as the vocals.
PVRIS are known for having strong personal stories laced through their songs and ‘Heaven’ is no different. The listener is taken through the relationship that seemed it was destined to fail, a feeling many people can relate too, seen in lyrics such as “Do you think we were speaking in tongues or simply not enough?” Ultimately the emotion in the vocals, you almost hear anger in her voice as she viciously sings, “You took my heaven away” are one of the unique things about this band.
Tracks such as ‘Heaven’ and ‘Walk Alone’ feature a harp. A juxtaposition to the dance beat and an even further juxtaposition from the aching lyrics such as “Darling, I always knew we were doomed” from ‘Walk Alone’ and “One foot in the grave, other on the ground” from ‘Half’.
’Separate’ seems to be as close to a ballad as PVRIS have gotten. Slower and possibly not so much instrumental going on as other tracks it instead remains eery with a haunting backdrop for a tale of a relationship possibly more deadly than loving. Lyrics such as “I wouldn’t mind if I died / I’m by your side / Tonight I’ll give you my life” allowing the listener to reminisce on their own more toxic relationships.
‘Same Soul’ could possibly have some similarities with early Hayley Williams, the verses showing off her more gentle vocals before the chorus jumps back in with the cutting vocals repeating, “Now you’re just somebody that I used to know.” The idea that Gunn has met this lover many times in different lives, that under the body is the same soul and the same stare. The lyrics, “I think we’ve loved a thousand lives / I try to find you every time” and “My stare at you stayed the same”, carry the narrative beautifully.
Overall the album maintains the same synthy electro-rock style fans fell in love with in the first place whilst stripping back to raw vulnerable emotion that everyone has felt. That being said, the album has a sense of retrospect, a cathartic element to it and is possibly the first step towards healing those scars.
Words by Megan Bakewell