“What if all I want is a work of fiction?”

Lauren Mayberry, the Scottish pop artist and charismatic frontwoman of CHVRCHES, has made a bold leap into solo artistry with Vicious Creature. While CHVRCHES brought her international acclaim with their polished synth-pop anthems, including “Here With Me” and “The Mother We Share,” this solo album showcases a more personal, diverse, and experimental side of Mayberry’s virtuosity. Drawing from influences like Fiona Apple, Madonna, and Tori Amos, Mayberry embraces a sound that blends raw vulnerability with pop versatility. She has expanded her creative horizons and manufactured a musical creature that behaves introspectively with nostalgia and life! 

“Something In The Air” kickstarts the record with a melodic echoing of familiarity that CHVRCHES fans will love. The track has a grungy static intro that immediately draws listeners in and foreshadows the concluding lyrics, “All that static down the megaphone / Too much noise might leave you on your own.” “Something In The Air” shimmers harmoniously from beginning to end, carrying a pop sensibility that harks back to the lush arrangements of ‘90s girl groups like All Saints. Its lyrics contrast societal conspiracies with personal dilemmas, reflecting on moments of doubt and how they ultimately lead to liberation. 

Vicious Creature confidently balances a variety of genres and soundscapes that all lead back to its multifaceted creator. Tracks like “Are You Awake?” and “Oh, Mother” provide heartfelt moments with thoughtful yet sparse instrumentation. These songs allow Mayberry’s voice and storytelling to take center stage, resonating with a population of contemplative listeners. “Oh, Mother” is a poignant piano ballad heavy with gratitude. It touches on family and illness with lyrics like, “It kills me to know you won’t be around / Oh, mother what will I do without you?” 

“I change shapes, I change shapes for you,” sings Mayberry in track eight of Vicious Creature. Sonically, she does just that. “Change Shapes,” “Crocodile Tears,” and “Sunday Best,” especially, are Y2K-inspired hits with an ‘80s pop sheen that lures listeners to the dance floor. Mayberry is full of tricks, sprinkling a fair share of energetic hooks, upbeat kick drums, and playful melodies into her genre-bending recipe. 

“Anywhere But Dancing” is impeccable to its word, with a stripped-down acoustic guitar foundation and vocal focus to change the vibe again. Its arrangement is unique compared to the polished production found elsewhere on the album. It’s the Nirvana Unplugged of Mayberry’s discography. But her defiance doesn’t end there – a couple more stand-out experimental tracks keep listeners on their toes. “Punch Drunk” is driven by bass and drums, with buoyant rhythmic grooves and a surf-rock texture emphasized by ride cymbal taps. In addition, the alternative vocal edge of this track can be compared to Hayley Williams of Paramore. 

“Sorry, Etc” goes completely punk with a much heavier tone and a drum beat that’s frantic and sharp. Thematically, the track critiques the performative apologies and gendered power struggles seen mainly within the music industry, “I bit my tongue to be one of the boys / I sold my soul to be one of the boys.” While the unconventional arrangement might alienate her typical listeners, its fearlessness proves that risks are worth taking – especially at the beginning of a solo journey. 

It is highly admirable how Mayberry has taken these risks and experimented to find her sound. We are witnesses of her personal discovery and dual nature. If Vicious Creature had been ultimately Y2K influenced, it would have needed a different name. As she says in track 10, “A Work Of Fiction,” “Nostalgia is such a vicious creature / Another way to say that you fear the future / I see it now as a different picture.” Mayberry’s debut album changes moods, explores the roots of her past, and tests the boundaries of her future, all in one. She created a creature with a little something for everyone…and now it’s up to you if you want it to be accurate or fiction.