The Scottish singer announced in July that she would be releasing some solo music and heading out on tour, however, there was no indication of when we could expect to hear any new music.

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A post shared by Lauren Mayberry (@laurenevemayberry)

The pop band’s lead singer didn’t keep fans waiting for long, as on August 11th , she revealed that her first single “Are You Awake?” would be with us in September.

Over the weekend, Mayberry dropped the highly anticipated single, as well as a music video for the song.

“Are You Awake?” was written by Mayberry and Canadian singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr, who has collaborated on songwriting with other UK artists such as Adele and Niall Horan.

The piano-led ballad is a slight leap from the energetic synth-pop we have come to expect from CHVRCHES, and in a recent press release, Lauren shared that “I was thinking a lot about loneliness and homesickness, and as soon as Tobias started playing the chords, the lyrics and melody came to me really quickly. I finished the song with my friend Matthew Koma, who really understood what I was trying to say.”

“For a long time, I couldn’t imagine doing anything outside of CHVRCHES but I think some things that I needed to write had to be done from purely my own point of view. I never really thought I’d write a piano ballad, or a solo album full stop, so life really is full of surprises. I am really looking forward to this chapter and can’t wait for people to hear more of the music.”

Though Lauren is venturing out on her own, her career with CHVRCHES is far from over. The trio announced last month that in celebration of the 10 year anniversary of their debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe, they would be releasing a re-issue of their 2013 LP on October 13th. The re-issue of the album will include 4 previously unheard tracks, as well as 5 live recordings. The band has given fans a taste of what’s to come by releasing “Manhattan”, one of the unheard songs that didn’t make it onto the album’s original release.

You can listen to “Manhattan” below.

For tickets to Lauren Mayberry’s upcoming tour, click here.

Tour dates:

05/10/2023 – SWG3 TV Studio – Glasgow, UK

06/10 – O2 Academy – Birmingham, UK

08/10 – Academy 2 – Manchester, UK

09/10 – Koko – London, UK

11/10 – Melkweg Oz – Amsterdam, Netherlands

12/10 – Lido – Berlin, Germany

13/10 – Strom – Munich, Germany

15/10 – La Maroquinerie – Paris, France

16/10 – Luxor – Cologne, Germany

17/10 – Rock Cafe – Prague, Czech Republic

19/10 – Flex – Vienna, Austria

21/10 – Bogen F – Zurich, Switzerland

22/10 – Magnolia – Milan, Italy

24/10 – La Nau – Barcelona, Spain

25/10 – Sala Copernico – Madrid, Spain

Originally released in 2013, The Bones Of What You Believe boasts much of the Glasgow trio’s most beloved work, including their signature song “The Mother We Share”. In an Instagram post, the group reflected on their early days: 

“It feels quite strange that Bones is almost a decade old – in some ways, it’s like it just happened, but also like that era was a lifetime ago. Thank you to all the people who gave that album a special place in their heart, and still show us so much kindness today.”

The announcement of the special edition is accompanied by the release of “Manhattan,” one of the four album outtakes due to feature on the reissue. Check out the song below:

In another Instagram post, Chvrches revealed that “Manhattan” was “one of the first tracks the three of [them] worked on together”, adding that the song “instantly resonated, highlighting traits that became the signature sound throughout the debut album.” 

Band member Iain Cook elaborated: 

“It was the first time we messed around with sampling and chopping up our vocals which would go on to become one of the hallmarks of the band’s sound. Lyrically, we were playing around with pretty abstract apocalyptic imagery—in this case the Manhattan Project. This was right around the time we asked Lauren to come into the studio to try out some additional vocals.”

Cook and Doherty, who had been members of the Glasgow alternative rock band Aereogramme until their departure in 2007, reconnected four years later to work on a new synth-orientated project. After proposing Blue Sky Archives drummer/singer Lauren Mayberry record vocals with them, the duo played their soon-to-be frontwoman a handful of demos including “Manhattan”, and Chvrches was born. 

Following the immediate online success of their debut song “Lies”, the trio quickly began gaining popularity through word-of-mouth. Although initially only intended as a studio project, growing expectations from fans saw the band take to the stage as a live act. Within a year they had released “The Mother We Share” and signed a record deal with Glassnote Records. The Bones Of What You Believe followed in 2013, shooting Chvrches into the mainstream, where they have enjoyed consistent success ever since.

Listen to “The Mother We Share” below:

In 2023, Mayberry revealed plans to tour as a solo artist, but reassured fans that, while Chvrches will be going on hiatus, the trio isn’t done forever: “We are all confident that the Chvrches story has many more pages yet to be written.” 

The singer is set to release her debut single next month and tours the UK in October.

See below for dates:

05/10/2023 – SWG3 TV Studio – Glasgow
06/10 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
08/10 – Academy 2 – Manchester
09/10 – Koko – London

Get tickets here.

Pre-order The Bones Of What You Believe 10 here.

Their new track is the first release from the trio since lauded 2021 album, Screen Violence and will run as a supporting act for Coldplay in South America. This year will also mark a new chapter for the trio, as it will be the 10th anniversary of their debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe, in September.

OVER IS OUT NOW

We finished this song over the holidays and the way it explores themes of trying to exist in an escapist dreamscape when life is difficult felt timely so we didn't want to wait to put it out.

Listen here: https://t.co/1CyCiNCFKp pic.twitter.com/wdzrc8FbIR

— CHVRCHES (@CHVRCHES) February 24, 2023

“Over” is a high-energy track that highlights the band’s ability to craft an earworm. Singer, Lauren Mayberry’s hush-toned vocals was able to guide the listener along a melodic journey, as the group’s electronic production and synth-laden arrangement keeps the song driving forward.

Oscar Holter was the main producer CHVRCHES worked with behind this single and their collaboration ceased out of their Screen Violence era, racing towards something completely new and unexplored. The band commented, “Over is a song that we wrote with Oscar Holter, a producer we really respect and admire. Normally we collect songs over the course of months (or years!) until we have an album’s worth of material, but this time we just wanted to release something we were excited about and give the fans something new to mark the ‘Screen Violence era and the start of whatever the next CHVRCHES chapter might be.”  

The lyrics are an existential exploration of the idea that “no matter what, we’re still here.” The chorus, “we’ll never be over,” repeated throughout the single, which is served to remind the listener that hoping for the best is the way to go, even in the darkest of times.

.@CHVRCHES are back!! Their new single 'Over' is out now https://t.co/LcN2iXCoTw pic.twitter.com/uH1XAB1Kry

— EMI (@emirecords) February 24, 2023

The music video for “Over” was released alongside the songs’ streaming debut. It was also in the same place for the first time since their 2018 album, Love Is Dead. It features the band performing in a post-apocalyptic world, surrounded by snow and ruins. The visuals accompany the uplifting themes of the song and effectively encouraged viewers to hold on to hope in the face of despair.

All in all, “Over” is a powerful and emotionally resonant track that fully displays the band’s talent. It’s an inspiring reminder that no matter what life throws our way, we’ll never be over.