Chvrches: The Bones of What You Believe – review

Chvrches' first album comes loaded with considerably more expectation than their first single, Lies, which emerged online without fanfare last summer, before nagging its way into influential ears. The Glasgow trio ranked highly in the BBC's new year industry poll, and toured with Depeche Mode, but there's enough crunch to their hooky electropop to dispel accusations of unwarranted hype. They are more robust and melodic than arty peers such as Grimes and Purity Ring – choruses are foregrounded, synthy jabs pummel Lauren Mayberry's vocals, beats drop from satisfying heights – but Mayberry's lyrics also carry a subversive twist of angst and obsession.