Every Open Eye
by Chvrches
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 188 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 149 out of 188
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 188
  3. Negative: 15 out of 188
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  1. kony5669
    Sep 28, 2015
    6
    To me, this album is disappointing. I don't like the shift in tone and style. All the off-beat and edginess that made them memorable has been changed to nostalgic '80s-influenced pop. The synths seem cheesier than in the first record, and the lyrics aren't as urgent. As catchy as any of the songs in the previous album were, there was always a dark edge to them, even when they were loveTo me, this album is disappointing. I don't like the shift in tone and style. All the off-beat and edginess that made them memorable has been changed to nostalgic '80s-influenced pop. The synths seem cheesier than in the first record, and the lyrics aren't as urgent. As catchy as any of the songs in the previous album were, there was always a dark edge to them, even when they were love songs, like We Sink; "I'll be a thorn in your side till you die, I'll be a thorn in your side for always". That's what made their brand of pop special.

    Perhaps this is them being more confident in their sound and producing a happier record but I feel they are pushing their music to more traditional pop sounds, and I miss the old CHVRCHES.

    All of this makes me sad, I really loved The Bones of What You Believe and their Recover EP.    … Expand
  2. TheRimRider
    Oct 11, 2015
    6
    Strong beginning but definitely tapers off to a lukewarm second half. The non Mayberry songs are terrible. Less songs more consistency. Reeks of sophomore slump. Produces enough decent songs to ensure a future on the live circuit for the next 20 years, but if they wish to remain relevant, they have to diversify the next time around. It's already becoming stale.
  3. jrodfilms
    Sep 27, 2015
    6
    Good synth pop. I thought the singles were just okay. 'Keep you on my Side' & 'Playing Dead' are my favorite songs. Some filler, and two songs with a male singer that were pretty good. I have to check out their first album now.
  4. ouestleguerre
    Mar 12, 2016
    6
    I liked this band's debut record, but their sophomore release is frankly a let down. The production is very clean-cut and slick but coupled with bland and often uninspired lyricism the resulting album is too clinical, too superficial and thoroughly underwhelming. A record thats more consistent than the first yet fails to reach the same highs that made CHVRCHES an interesting band.
  5. TixyLix
    Oct 1, 2015
    6
    I thought the album was rather average, there are more songs I feel "meh" about than I like, only two songs I find to be standout. I also feel like the lead Singer's voice can feel too Disney, like a cheesy American singer in a few of the songs, especially the ones to the back half of the album.

    It's ok, I'm sure die hard fans will love it and passers by will go "I love Chvrches" when    I thought the album was rather average, there are more songs I feel "meh" about than I like, only two songs I find to be standout. I also feel like the lead Singer's voice can feel too Disney, like a cheesy American singer in a few of the songs, especially the ones to the back half of the album.

    It's ok, I'm sure die hard fans will love it and passers by will go "I love Chvrches" when they really mean that love that one song they heard on the Radio. I couldn't listen to all the way through though, it's no classic, I hope they get their Appetite for Destruction in the third album maybe.    … Expand
  6. haxtonaa
    Sep 25, 2015
    4
    Knowing this album was made while touring for "The Bones.." is a good indicator of what to expect out of the afterthought that is "Every Open Eye". Chvrches are by no means a push-over act in their increasingly ambiguous 'indie' niche, but this album shows every sign of a "lets just keep doing what we're doing" cop-out.

    They show zero ambition in improving their sound, innovating in    Knowing this album was made while touring for "The Bones.." is a good indicator of what to expect out of the afterthought that is "Every Open Eye". Chvrches are by no means a push-over act in their increasingly ambiguous 'indie' niche, but this album shows every sign of a "lets just keep doing what we're doing" cop-out.

    They show zero ambition in improving their sound, innovating in any possible way, or challenging even the average pop fan. More or less, a keen unbiased listener will quickly pick up that they're listening to what is essentially disc two to "The Bones of What You Believe", only this time its painfully repetitive rather than fresh as the debut was.

    If you're a diehard fan, you're happy with this 11-track LP and the refreshingly short wait you've suffered for it. If you have an ounce of shame or have musically inclined taste, you'll most likely never give this a second spin.    … Expand
  7. freemartindhrty
    Sep 25, 2015
    4
    It looks like I'm going to be "dropping" CHVRCHES for the same reason I found them - Lavren's stance on misogyny. That is, her stance on labeling any form of critique as misogyny.

    Mayberry's Guardian op-ed on "trolls or **** addicts" in 2013 piqued my interest, and the instrumentals of Martin Doherty and Iain Cook sealed the deal. The timing of the editorial piece - coinciding with    It looks like I'm going to be "dropping" CHVRCHES for the same reason I found them - Lavren's stance on misogyny. That is, her stance on labeling any form of critique as misogyny.

    Mayberry's Guardian op-ed on "trolls or **** addicts" in 2013 piqued my interest, and the instrumentals of Martin Doherty and Iain Cook sealed the deal. The timing of the editorial piece - coinciding with the launch of their debut album - didn't cross my mind, as I was drawn into the buzz surrounding the band.

    Fast forward to 2015 and the release of the "Leave A Trace" music video. Though Doherty and Cook have literally avoided center stage (despite their repeated public statements against "push[ing] the girl to the front", but let's stay on track) their appearances in the video were limited to approximately seven seconds of murky, almost threatening background male presence. In fact, given the parting chorus lyric "leave a trace of a man" it's almost as if Lavren is using her bandmates in the video as a bogeyman for the overarching breakup angst. Meanwhile Mayberry parades herself in the spotlight, alternating between a little black dress and water-soaked chainmail.

    But, on to "Every Open Eye." (EOE)

    LIke their 2013 debut "The Bones Of What You Believe", (TBOWYB) the band chooses to front-load the tracklist with their main singles. "Never Ending Circles", another breakup anthem, leads into "Leave a Trace", both decent songs along the lines of TBOWYB. But that's just the problem - CHVRCHES could only muster enough hooks to fill the three lead singles of EOE and the rest of the tracks are just making up the numbers. Ahead of its release "Clearest Blue" intrigued me as it hinted at some vulnerability on Lavren's part, narrating what sounds like a panic attack. As it turns out, that promise (and Depeche Mode tribute in the breakout instrumental) isn't realized on the album. It's lost amidst breakup songs and mediocre motivational pieces like "Make Them Gold".

    As on TBOWYB, one song - "High Enough To Carry You Over" - switches it up by featuring Doherty on lead vocals. Though slightly repetitive, the different take on EOE's theme of failed relationships breaks up the monotony and leaves the listener wanting more. Like its predecessor "Under The Tide", the slightly subdued instrumental suggests that the band doesn't trust Lavren as a full replacement for Martin. If CHVRCHES want to move their music forward, featuring the talents of the two male bandmates more often would dispell their growing image as a Lavren Mayberry vehicle.

    I'm giving EOE 4 stars out of 10 for the four songs out of 12 I've found myself listening to - arithmetically that's a 3/10 but I'm being generous for the promise shown in TBOWYB. How the band reacts to any criticism (including user reviews on this website) will provide the verdict on whether CHVRCHES and specifically Lavren are using canned outrage against the online trolling that literally every musical act experiences to further their exposure in the media.    … Expand
  8. bernisphere
    Mar 30, 2016
    6
    A fantastic album with an excellent production. But the middle of the album , we quickly cançados the monotony of the melody. Literally 50 % addictive , 50 % unexciting

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed Album of 2015
32
#32 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Nov 5, 2015
    78
    The Glasgow threepiece has figured out what works: in this case, catchy funk-pop ("High Enough to Carry You Over") that threatens the radio friendliness of Bruno Mars, and nods to early Depeche Mode.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Oct 14, 2015
    70
    Every Open Eye takes an "if it ain't broke" approach, following in the same sonic vein as Bones--sometimes outright repeating Bones--but not really building on it. [No. 125, p.58]
  3. Clash Music
    Oct 9, 2015
    80
    CHVRCHES are a still a terrific alternative to the barrage of mind-numbing EDM and soulless euro trash of acts such as Icona Pop that permeate our airwaves and devour advertisements. Another heavenly and peerless collection from the Glaswegian synth-poppers.
    Read full review
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