Album review: PVRIS – EVERGREEN

From the very start, it was clear that PVRIS weren’t going to adhere to one genre – or the very concept of genre at all. Multi-instrumentalist Lyndsey Gunnulfsen has continued to develop her style with each release, drawing from a wide spectrum of sounds. On fourth album EVERGREEN, she pushes the idea of what PVRIS can be even more, delving further into her hip-hop and R&B influences, culminating in an eclectic and electrifying collection of songs, and what is PVRIS’ most evolved offering to date.

Lyndsey has described the album as a tug-of-war between two opposing modes. And it’s without a doubt a fierce competition – both sides are putting up a good fight. The first half of the record is propulsive, the lyrics are confrontational, while the instrumentals feel almost tactile, and the songs hit like a jolt of energy. Despite boasting some of their darker and more aggressive moments, it's also incredibly fun at times. I DON’T WANNA DO THIS ANYMORE’s cathartic electro-pop flair nicely contrasts its themes of frustration. TAKE MY NIRVANA is filled with rage – but it’s impossible not to dance along to it. Sinister HYPE ZOMBIES, one of the album’s standout tracks, builds its atmosphere through sludgy bass and wailing synths, pulled together by Lyndsey’s carefully-calibrated, cascading vocals.

The record takes a turn into softer territory around SENTI-MENTAL. The tracks remain as compelling and dynamic, even as they become more delicate and introspective. HEADLIGHTS is a build and release of energy, becoming more gripping as it goes along. LOVE IS A… blends together some of PVRIS’ influences outside of rock with dramatic and thrilling results, while EVERGREEN combines pulsing synths and soft guitar-picking as Lyndsey firmly stakes her place in music history.

Lyndsey’s proficiency and confidence is as audible in her vocal performances as it is in the blaring synths and crunching guitars, and in how she layers the songs together in unexpected but ultimately effective ways. In the end, it’s not about which side wins the tug-of-war. As usual, PVRIS demonstrates the value of existing in the spaces between genres, and that moments of combination and contrast are often the most exciting.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Halsey, YONAKA, VUKOVI

EVERGREEN is released on July 14 via Hopeless

Read this: PVRIS: “You constantly kill off different versions of yourself”