Scottish synth-pop band Chvrches have announced a 10th anniversary reissue of their acclaimed debut album The Bones Of What You Believe. The special edition hits stores on October 13 and will contain four previously-unheard songs originally intended for the LP, as well as five live tracks from an early AB Brussels concert.
Originally released in 2013, The Bones Of What You Believe boasts much of the Glasgow trio’s most beloved work, including their signature song “The Mother We Share”. In an Instagram post, the group reflected on their early days:
“It feels quite strange that Bones is almost a decade old – in some ways, it’s like it just happened, but also like that era was a lifetime ago. Thank you to all the people who gave that album a special place in their heart, and still show us so much kindness today.”
The announcement of the special edition is accompanied by the release of “Manhattan,” one of the four album outtakes due to feature on the reissue. Check out the song below:
In another Instagram post, Chvrches revealed that “Manhattan” was “one of the first tracks the three of [them] worked on together”, adding that the song “instantly resonated, highlighting traits that became the signature sound throughout the debut album.”
Band member Iain Cook elaborated:
“It was the first time we messed around with sampling and chopping up our vocals which would go on to become one of the hallmarks of the band’s sound. Lyrically, we were playing around with pretty abstract apocalyptic imagery—in this case the Manhattan Project. This was right around the time we asked Lauren to come into the studio to try out some additional vocals.”
Cook and Doherty, who had been members of the Glasgow alternative rock band Aereogramme until their departure in 2007, reconnected four years later to work on a new synth-orientated project. After proposing Blue Sky Archives drummer/singer Lauren Mayberry record vocals with them, the duo played their soon-to-be frontwoman a handful of demos including “Manhattan”, and Chvrches was born.
Following the immediate online success of their debut song “Lies”, the trio quickly began gaining popularity through word-of-mouth. Although initially only intended as a studio project, growing expectations from fans saw the band take to the stage as a live act. Within a year they had released “The Mother We Share” and signed a record deal with Glassnote Records. The Bones Of What You Believe followed in 2013, shooting Chvrches into the mainstream, where they have enjoyed consistent success ever since.
Listen to “The Mother We Share” below:
In 2023, Mayberry revealed plans to tour as a solo artist, but reassured fans that, while Chvrches will be going on hiatus, the trio isn’t done forever: “We are all confident that the Chvrches story has many more pages yet to be written.”
The singer is set to release her debut single next month and tours the UK in October.
See below for dates:
05/10/2023 – SWG3 TV Studio – Glasgow
06/10 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
08/10 – Academy 2 – Manchester
09/10 – Koko – London
Get tickets here.
Pre-order The Bones Of What You Believe 10 here.
