Surfacing: CHVRCHES Frontwoman Lauren Mayberry Unveils Debut Solo Offering [New Artist]

Words: Saam Das

You'll probably know Lauren Mayberry best as one third of Scottish trio, CHVRCHES, alongside Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. The synth outfit's debut album 'The Bones Of What You Believe' came out ten years ago, and understandably, Mayberry has been looking into further creative outlets. Her beguiling debut single, 'Are You Awake?', dropped earlier in the month. Listen below.

Year In Review: Top Twenty Tracks Of 2018 (#10-1)

Words: Saam Das

Following up from part one of our list of top tracks of 2018, which featured the likes of Young Fathers and Metric, we have our undoubtedly much anticipated countdown of the top ten below. We've also put together a Spotify playlist of the whole shebang if that's more of your thing.

Watch: CHVRCHES + BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra - Miracle [New Video]

Words: Saam Das

We didn't quite take the opportunity to write about CHVRCHES' storming 2018 hit 'Miracle' but this rather unexpected new rendition has presented the perfect chance for redemption, as the band teamed up with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for a specially commissioned film launching the new BBC Scotland channel. Watch the short (entitled 'Beginning') below, alongside the original version of 'Miracle'.

Year In Review: Saam Das' Top Ten Albums Of 2015

Words: Saam Das

From Iain Woods' psychologist album released on 1st January 2015 to Archy Marshall's King Krule follow-up released as December drew to a close, 2015 was certainly an interesting year for album releases. With honourable mentions to Young Fathers, Errors, and Lanterns On The Lake, read below for ten of my favourite albums from the past year:

Listen: CHVRCHES - Gun [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Scottish electro-pop CHVRCHES have achieved something of a "meteoric rise" since they came together from a smattering of relatively unheralded other Scottish outfits. Murmurings of approval upon the emergence of their demos were built upon with impressive live performances and a major label deal. New single 'Gun' could be the one that matches their critical acclaim with more commercial success.

Futuresounds: 2013 Tips/Ones To Watch

It might be March but we are still going forward with our tips for the year. Letting the dust settle after the glut of "ones to watch" lists to have already appeared gives us more time to reflect and consider our choices. For example, Palma Violets were celebrated in certain corners as the best thing to happen to guitar music since guitars. But they're not in our list. Find out who is below.

Ed's Note: BBC Sound Of 2013 Poll Longlist

Words: Saam Das // Photo: bbc.co.uk

The latest installment of the BBC Sound Of poll was unveiled this week, to the usual mixed reaction ranging from joy to horror, by way of disinterest. I'm generally one of the more interested parties - indeed, I was even one of the "tastemakers" in the BBC Sound Of 2010. Listen to tracks from the fifteen-strong longlist below.

Ed's Note: Blog Sound Of 2013 Longlist Announced

Words: Saam Das

People tend to get a bit worked up about tips for [insert forthcoming year]/bands to watch, especially when the BBC Sound Of poll appears. For the most part, I quite enjoy it, and being invited to take part in the BBC Sound Of 2010 poll has probably been the pinnacle of my blogging career. For those looking for a variation on the theme, you can find the second annual Blog Sound Of 2013 longlist below.

Listen: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share [Debut Single]

Words: Jack Thomson

CHVRCHES are Iain Cook, Martin Doherty and vocalist Lauren Mayberry - who have appeared as members of the likes of Aerogramme, The Twilight Sad, and Blue Sky Archives. This female-fronted electro pop act hail from Glasgow and make music not too dissimilar in sound to The Knife, and more recently, MS MR, Charli XCX and Polica, to name but a few.