Stirling-born musician Lauren Mayberry released four albums as part of Scottish synthpop outfit Chvrches, but now gives us the first taste of her sound as a solo artist on debut album Vicious Creature. The musician has released a number of tracks from the set including the impressive 2023 number Are You Awake? and more recent singles including Change Shapes and Crocodile Tears.
On the release of her solo album, Lauren shares: “So much of this process has been an exercise in empowering myself to listen to my own intuition – something I really trained myself out of.” She continues: “That’s ultimately why you start making things – because you felt a feeling, and you wanted to articulate that somehow. I think it was important for me to relearn that kind of independence, and recognise what I bring to any table I choose to sit at.”
The singer shared that in the release she wanted to adopt “a sort of character where I could really let go of the idea that I need to be ‘nice,’ because I think that holds so many women back in their lives.” Lauren adds: “If I didn’t have to be seen as ‘nice,’ I would feel comfortable telling certain people to fuck off when they treat me like shit – on this record, and in these songs, I get to do that.”
Vicious Creature sees Lauren draw inspiration from artists such as Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey and Kathleen Hanna – as well as British girl group royalty including All Saints and Sugababes.
Stream Vicious Creature below.
Photo: Island Records