Love is Dead
by Chvrches
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 112
  3. Negative: 8 out of 112
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  1. PabloCa
    May 27, 2018
    5
    “Love is Dead” isn’t the worst record of the year, but is in fact the worst from the Glasgow’s trio. Even though Mayberry’s singing has improved, the band sound like they are bored or they don’t even care about the direction their music is taking; is pretty obvious that Chvrches wants to break into the top 40 no matter what, even if that affects the quality of their music. The album starts“Love is Dead” isn’t the worst record of the year, but is in fact the worst from the Glasgow’s trio. Even though Mayberry’s singing has improved, the band sound like they are bored or they don’t even care about the direction their music is taking; is pretty obvious that Chvrches wants to break into the top 40 no matter what, even if that affects the quality of their music. The album starts with “Graffiti”, a forgettable track; next is “Get Out” that sounds like a rework of “The Mother We Share”. “Miracle”, “Forever” and “Never Say Die” trie so hard to emulate the generic pop of nowadays through obnoxious repetition. Martin Doherty, takes the lead vocals in “God’s Plan”, unfortunately, unlike his work in “Under the Tide” or “High Enough to Carry You Over”, here he sings like he doesn’t give a crap about the song; from beginning to end, he remains uninterested and uninspired. The most decent cut is “My Enemy”; which is only save by Matt Berninger’s voice, that sounds humble and full of regret, injecting heart into the song. “Really Gone” is the song with the most interesting and deepest lyric through the album, but Mayberry, even with a better singing, can’t make you feel the raw emotion of the lyrics and also, it doesn’t help that the synth is making the same sound over and over again, without even trying to change the armonie to make the sound more melancholic. In general, “Love is Dead” sounds so generic and bland that you have probably hear the same exact music in other artists like Imagine Dragons or Halsey, it sounds pretty robotic and seems aimed to an specific target, teenagers. Chvrches put everything in this album, except heart.… Expand
  2. janeeek1538
    Jul 24, 2018
    10
    I'll just say, REPLAY VALUE IS TREMENDOUS. Songs like Never Say Die, Graves, Deliverance, Wonderland, Miracle, Graffiti (yes that many) are 11/10 with the rest not that far behind
  3. DavidWasHere
    May 26, 2018
    5
    This was a massive disappointment. CHVRCHES are one of my favorite current pop bands. The Bones of What You Believe is one of my favorite albums ever, and Every Open Eye was a solid follow-up. So I was excited when the band came back with this new album. However, I have not heard any of the singles coming forward. If I did, then I would have known to fear. And all of this can be blamed onThis was a massive disappointment. CHVRCHES are one of my favorite current pop bands. The Bones of What You Believe is one of my favorite albums ever, and Every Open Eye was a solid follow-up. So I was excited when the band came back with this new album. However, I have not heard any of the singles coming forward. If I did, then I would have known to fear. And all of this can be blamed on one man, Greg Kurstin. He's well known for producing music for Adele, Sia, Lily Allen, and for indie-leaning acts like the first Foster the People album, the Shin's Port of Morrow, and the last two Tegan and Sara albums where they went pop, and for some reason the latest Foo Fighters album that was bland, and the soundtrack for that god-awful Annie remake back in 2014. And this has all the problems that Greg Kurstin has, overproduced and cluttered. While this more arena-friendly synthpop sound might work for CHVRCHES since they do know how to write catchy anthems, this just did not work. The production sounds way too cluttered and strangling lead singer Lauren Mayberry's pixie-like vocals. While Mayberry never was the showiest singer, she does have a prescience that does lead well to their trademark retro-synthpop. However the production is meant for more showier and expressive singers, not Mayberry. Songs like Get Out and the EDM-like Never Say Die completely smother her vocals. It highlights how limited of a singer she really is, which is never good! Although to be fair she sounds better than the male vocals that take the lead on God's Plan! Not to mention that this is the worst CHVRCHES album in terms of hooks and choruses. While they aren't known for writing deep and philosophical lyrics, they know how to write a pop song! One of the reason why songs like the Mother We Share and Leave a Trace being so damn good! Love is Dead, meanwhile, has hooks that fall flat on it's face. Whether it's cheap lyrical repetition, like on the embarrassing attempt at an EDM banger on Miracle, or just weak chorus melodies, like on Get Out (which is a shame because it does have a nice synth riff). There are a few songs that are decent. Deliverance and Graves do sound close to a classic CHVRCHES sound but never quite getting to the tight melodies and airy synths that was on their first two albums, the Matt Berninger (frontman of the National and EL VY) featuring song My Enemy is a decent slower moment that was very welcome, even though Matt sounds out of place for this style of electronic music when compared to his work on EL VY (say what you will abut that project at least it matches Matt's baritone), and Heaven/Hell is the strongest song on the album, and to be fair the melodies are nice in the songs even with the blaring production highlighting none of that. I can see some fans getting into this album, but honestly this is nowhere as close as The Bones of What You Believe or Every Open Eye, not even by a mile. It's not flat-out terrible, but damn it it could have been so much better!… Expand
  4. BrushedRed
    May 25, 2018
    6
    It’s not perfect, but for what it is it’s really good. It’s moreso along the lines of catchy pop music as opposed to their more indie previous releases. The singles that came before it were not that promising and were quite a letdown, but I think outside of the singles, the songs are pretty good. I think “Graffiti” may be among the best CHVRCHES songs. It, “Forever,” “Deliverance,” andIt’s not perfect, but for what it is it’s really good. It’s moreso along the lines of catchy pop music as opposed to their more indie previous releases. The singles that came before it were not that promising and were quite a letdown, but I think outside of the singles, the songs are pretty good. I think “Graffiti” may be among the best CHVRCHES songs. It, “Forever,” “Deliverance,” and “Graves” kinda go back to their trademark style and are standouts here, but yeah, parts of it are kinda awkward and half-baked. I was also kinda letdown with the duo with Matt Berninger. The National are one of my favorite bands, but I don’t think that song could’ve been more dull. I feel if this album were given more thought and expanded among the better parts of this album and snipped out some of the singles/filler, it would’ve been better, but for what it is, it’s an enjoyable pop album… Expand
  5. EliHarold
    May 25, 2018
    1
    Really bland predictable lyrics and not one song that really sticks with you. Stick with Beach House, Wye Oak, Courtney Barnett etc if you want something decent. Really disappointed but can't say I'm surprised.
  6. sratomasfer
    May 26, 2018
    3
    As a long time Chvrches fan (seriously, I love this band) I am incredibly disappointed. Cheap hooks and weak lyrics. It's like a watered down Ellie Goulding record. I was so excited for this with all the hype they put on it but it's really just a cringy attempt at being super artsy. As a Cincinnati native and The National fan, I was very excited when Matt Beringer was put on the record.As a long time Chvrches fan (seriously, I love this band) I am incredibly disappointed. Cheap hooks and weak lyrics. It's like a watered down Ellie Goulding record. I was so excited for this with all the hype they put on it but it's really just a cringy attempt at being super artsy. As a Cincinnati native and The National fan, I was very excited when Matt Beringer was put on the record. But gosh he was literally the only good thing that happened on that track. It was also a musical and production disappointment, the chugging claps on Get Out and the cliché radio-style vocal editing on Miracle are two that come to mind. Seriously, this is such a step down for them that winds up being an incredibly safe and predictable record. I'm severely disappointed. Heaven/Hell seems to be the only track that sticks with me as being decent overall.… Expand
  7. MarsVegas
    May 26, 2018
    0
    Predictable and safe. Every little sound fits together too neatly. Sounds like it was made in a lab with the sole intent of selling products and sounding good in big arenas.
  8. FNDO
    May 26, 2018
    9
    It's good when a band change the route of their sound, Chvrches now a little more pop and colorful makes and album solid and full of sticky and shiny songs.
  9. DenisOliveira
    May 29, 2018
    10
    Love Is Dead continues to ask questions of the world, but realises they’re not always black and white, or in CHVRCHES case, light or dark.
  10. martincm1910
    May 26, 2018
    8
    Ok so this album is a departure from their latest album, but it's really good. To me some of the highlights would be Miracle, Heaven/Hell and Deliverance. Tbh the only thing that i don't like about the album is the cover lol
  11. filipehondrey12
    May 26, 2018
    8
    I had never heard anything of CHVRCHES. I took the risk on this album and kinda liked it.
  12. marktron
    Jun 7, 2018
    4
    Compared to CHRVCHES' first two albums, Love is Dead is a noticeably weaker. The biggest issue with the album is that the band sounds bored. While Lauren has always been a competent singer, she sings like she isn't particularly invested in these songs; her vocals are workman like, matter of fact, and emotionless. Worst of all, is that most of the material on the album sounds like inferiorCompared to CHRVCHES' first two albums, Love is Dead is a noticeably weaker. The biggest issue with the album is that the band sounds bored. While Lauren has always been a competent singer, she sings like she isn't particularly invested in these songs; her vocals are workman like, matter of fact, and emotionless. Worst of all, is that most of the material on the album sounds like inferior version of previous songs from their back catalog, but completely sterilized ("Get Out" is the most obvious example) or markedly worse ("Wonderland", "God's Plan"). Lauren states that Love is Dead would be their most "pop" album, but going pop doesn't mean making music this safe and personality free; a watered down version of CHVRCHES where all of their edge has been polished away into the banal indistinctiveness and inoffensiveness akin to music that plays in malls and grocery stores.… Expand
  13. bizarrojerri
    Jun 20, 2018
    5
    This band literally gave me diabetes. On paper it all shouldn't work, cheesy synths, baby girl harmonies, eighties throwback whiplash...music has evolved from this, surely...but, no, its incredibly listenable in a guilty pleasure kinda way. That all said, this new material doesnt match their first two albums' sheer ballsyness. This one plays it safe.
  14. aarofloyd
    Jun 8, 2018
    9
    Another great album from Chvrches, who seem to be able to keep pounding away with their indie-rock-synth-pop tactics. This album, while topically taking a different approach than the precursors (a significantly deeper darker perspective), still resonates extremely well with the heavy synth sound this group has become known for. Can't seem to get enough of the album, just as with theAnother great album from Chvrches, who seem to be able to keep pounding away with their indie-rock-synth-pop tactics. This album, while topically taking a different approach than the precursors (a significantly deeper darker perspective), still resonates extremely well with the heavy synth sound this group has become known for. Can't seem to get enough of the album, just as with the others Chvrches has always produced!… Expand
  15. diegogemini
    May 27, 2018
    2
    Me gusta Chvrches, pero comparado a sus trabajos anteriores, este álbum es más de lo mismo, fue una total desilusión. Siento que es un álbum muy mainstream por lo que quizás le vaya bien comercialmente pero en calidad no es bueno, el mismo sonido, no existe alguna experimentación o algo nuevo, es una mezcla de sus dos trabajos anteriores, por lo que aburre. Graffiti y Get Out son lasMe gusta Chvrches, pero comparado a sus trabajos anteriores, este álbum es más de lo mismo, fue una total desilusión. Siento que es un álbum muy mainstream por lo que quizás le vaya bien comercialmente pero en calidad no es bueno, el mismo sonido, no existe alguna experimentación o algo nuevo, es una mezcla de sus dos trabajos anteriores, por lo que aburre. Graffiti y Get Out son las únicas canciones que para mí salvan.… Expand
  16. LordOMO
    Jan 1, 2019
    8
    Much better than their previous album "Every Open Eye" which often sounded like a sad, commercialised copy of the debut album with overall weaker songwirting.
    Love is Dead also is a more mainstream album, however it has a much more organic sound and a clear vision for what it wants to be. It still sounds like Chvrches, just on a grander scale .... except for the song "Mircale" that is.    Much better than their previous album "Every Open Eye" which often sounded like a sad, commercialised copy of the debut album with overall weaker songwirting.
    Love is Dead also is a more mainstream album, however it has a much more organic sound and a clear vision for what it wants to be. It still sounds like Chvrches, just on a grander scale .... except for the song "Mircale" that is. This song is so bad, it's like you combined every terrible pop music trend from 2017. It already sounds outdated and doesn't fit the sound of the album at all. Also it's a shame that the far superior song "Out of my head" is only on the japanese version of the album.    … Expand
  17. Brendonh93
    May 31, 2018
    5
    Was very disappointed with this project after hearing hearing a good few singles it seemed like a very generic album with a lot of filler tracks.
  18. semisemite
    Jun 10, 2018
    3
    This is what happens when a successful band decides it wants to make more money by dumbing down their sound for the masses. Chvrches was one of my favorite groups, but then they sold out and made this disaster. It's not compete crap, but it's pretty bad, especially when comparing it to their amazing previous albums.

    Chvrches is dead.
  19. tiaskye
    Jun 27, 2018
    5
    While I have enjoyed some of Chvrches songs in the past and I do appreciate the fact that they are working with some outside producers to make them go mainstream. While the album have a few decent songs, unfortunately "Love is Dead" just like the previous projects, is full with basic, boring synthpop production and uninspired writing.
  20. Nazario08
    Jun 29, 2018
    9
    "Saga das Músicas on": Eu diria que a banda tentou criar um disco de “pop consciente”, fugindo um pouco dos padrões do estilo, que tem a fama de funcionar com canções fúteis. Há toda a parte instrumental, que agrada os ouvidos de qualquer pessoa, mas ainda possui grandes letras por trás. Funciona muito bem na prática.
  21. TheRaggedFlygon
    Mar 11, 2019
    7
    Love is Dead is not as memorable as Chrvches debut album, The Bones of What You Believe, but it is still a good album from start to finish. Many albums these days are designed to sell singles, but Love is Dead is listenable throughout the album. Furthermore I found this album to be extremely easy to re-listen to. Its nothing revolutionary, but it is a solid album all around.
  22. soundmate
    Mar 29, 2020
    8
    I just want to the "Élite" series editors and creative directors. While I was watching the third season of this Spanish television show, I couldn't stop murmuring its final song which turned to be "Forever". When I realized it was performed by CHVRCHΞS my heart shocked. This is one of the artists I have wanted to listen to for years! See so, I started to listen to their newest album; and II just want to the "Élite" series editors and creative directors. While I was watching the third season of this Spanish television show, I couldn't stop murmuring its final song which turned to be "Forever". When I realized it was performed by CHVRCHΞS my heart shocked. This is one of the artists I have wanted to listen to for years! See so, I started to listen to their newest album; and I couldn't be happier with this discovery.
    "Love Is Dead" is an amazing, energetic, fancy, electric album. For me, it hides pain under loud sounds. It hurts if you start to think that the singer might be screaming her feelings and anger which turns into a broken effort since the environment as well as the people around you are struggling with their own inner conflicts and do not have time for yours. Its tastes like hidden broken dreams being deafen; which is terrific as a concept for an album but is a horrible feeling in real life. This album feels like a constant fight between heaven and hell, which are being presented to you at the same time; a distopian utopia; a burning sunflower.
    I had never listened to their music before so I have no right to compare this 2018 project with their previous ones. With that being said, I conclude that this has been a revelation for me. I have felt very connected to this album and I personally think that there are tons of people who will relate to it too. I am looking forward to hearing what they have to offer us in the near future. I will stan for sure.    … Expand
  23. Etienne_H
    Oct 6, 2019
    5
    Love is Dead, whilst not inherently bad as an album, was a huge letdown. The Scottish trio returned with a more "popularized" formula that truly lacks the depth of The Bones of What You Believe and Every Open Eye. The constant usage of vocal effects such as overlapping Lauren Mayberry's voice multiple time throughout the album only adds salt to injury, making the group lose yet another keyLove is Dead, whilst not inherently bad as an album, was a huge letdown. The Scottish trio returned with a more "popularized" formula that truly lacks the depth of The Bones of What You Believe and Every Open Eye. The constant usage of vocal effects such as overlapping Lauren Mayberry's voice multiple time throughout the album only adds salt to injury, making the group lose yet another key component of what made them stand out of the crowd to me. I understand that they have tried to reach to a larger crowd with this album, but to fans of their early work like myself, this album is a hude disappointment. The only song that truly stood out to me from this album is the two-parter II and Wonderland, which bringed a hint of the melodical ingenuity of CHVRCHES, albeit far too late to have any meaningful impact on the overall experience. I truly hope that they won't continue down this path, yet I do not think it will happen.

    As many other reviewers said before me, CHVRCHES is Dead.    … Expand
  24. ztuxilef
    Nov 25, 2019
    7
    Its very hit or miss for me some of the tracks are pretty high um my top 2018 list and some are just boring and predictable overall still a solid album
  25. Chris182
    Apr 25, 2021
    8
    One of the best albums to come out of the 80s Synth Pop Revival scene. I cant see why so many people dislike this album. It is an album that is just so much fun to listen to and always puts me in a happy mood. Listen to this album from front to back trust me you will be singing and dancing within 10 seconds of pressing play.
    Best Songs: Grafiti, Forever, Deliverance, Graves,
    Worst Songs:    One of the best albums to come out of the 80s Synth Pop Revival scene. I cant see why so many people dislike this album. It is an album that is just so much fun to listen to and always puts me in a happy mood. Listen to this album from front to back trust me you will be singing and dancing within 10 seconds of pressing play.
    Best Songs: Grafiti, Forever, Deliverance, Graves,
    Worst Songs: My Enemy    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2018
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jul 25, 2018
    60
    Love is Dead is formally earnest and it succumbs as a product of its (unearnest) production, an art of sincerity lost underneath. Love is Dead, damnably, is sincerity in place of irony, which is to say sincerity outside irony. It has no world to tease of tense.
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  2. Clash Music
    Jun 11, 2018
    80
    Heavily weighty with fiery doom and gloom, Lauren Mayberry masters the art of colourfully abstract lyrics.
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  3. Variety
    May 31, 2018
    88
    Chvrches have made their most fully-realized effort to date (musically, anyway).
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