Scottish pop star Lauren Mayberry is stepping out of her comfort zone with her debut solo album, “Vicious Creature”, showcasing a blend of influences and personal growth. The 12-track release, set to drop on December 6 via Island Records, veers from coffee house folk to dance-pop and punk, with lyrics that explore mortality, nostalgia, societal pressures, and relationships.
Mayberry, 37, is taking control of her music, reversing the traditional synth-pop approach of her band Chvrches. “It was nice to be able to go into a studio with a title idea or concept and work back from that,” she says, citing influences like Sinead O’Connor, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, and Annie Lennox.
The album features collaborations with producers Greg Kurstin, Matthew Korma, Tobias Jesso Jr., Ethan Gruska, and Dan McDougall. Tracks like “Sunday Best” were inspired by Talking Heads and Mayberry’s personal experiences with her mother’s illness. The title “Vicious Creature” reflects Mayberry’s newfound freedom to create music that suits her mood.
For Mayberry, the album is a mission statement of self-expression, allowing her to explore themes she’s always wanted to tackle. “No matter what happens with this record, I feel like it was more about proving to myself than to anybody else,” she says. With “Vicious Creature”, Mayberry is taking a bold step into solo territory, leaving fans eager to see what the future holds for both her as an artist and Chvrches.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/lauren-mayberry-chvrches-solo-vicious-creature-e107da07dd1b5181a2a6150e8c48c91d