The Indie-electro genre has artists creating interesting music using variations in the instrumentation. Kind of like a sonic fingerprint that makes their music unique. But No other fingerprint is quite like the one from the band known as Chvrches. Hailing from Glasgow Scotland, this band consist of Lauren Mayberry, Martin Doherty, Lain Cook this trio have made a name for themselves. Housed in genres like Indie electro, Indie-Pop, and Synth-pop, this group wanted to take things to a new level.
Doherty and Cook have worked with other bands and have known each other for many years. In 2012 they decided to put their creative styles together to see what kind of sound they could create. For Doherty and Cook, this was their first attempt at an electronic made album, and they wanted to do it right. They outsourced their mixing for the album to Mark ‘Spike’ Spent. With years of experience working in the electronic music industry. Doherty and Cook installed confidently in his ability to complete this album to desire.
At Alucard Studios, in Glasgow where that first started, they started looking for a singer. Cook suggested Mayberry, they brought her in, played a few songs, and start the group we know today. (Doyle, 2015)
Every Open Eye the second album released back in 2015, steps further into the electronic music genre. Each song is alluring of instruments and synths, one of which is the song called “Playing Dead”. An excellent piece crafted beautifully. The song was written in E flat minor with a tempo of 93 and followed the standard 4|4-time signature. Today we are tearing down this song to see what we discover.
Body
In Playing Dead, we hear Synths, drums, vocals, keyboards, and bass. Plus samples of words take from the lyrics. The song is smooth, flowing, and even though there are changes in the form, there are NO silences or pauses.
The instruments have a pleasant tone but still manages to draw a sense of drama and energy. Played at a paced tempo, they do not have a harsh or heavily texture. The musical instruments emit a shine that hides a sad emotion with realistic tones. While also being an energetic infused song.
The song form is:
Intro - Verse - Chorus - Intrude - Verse - Chorus - Bridge - Chorus - Outro
Each section has a different sonic style which blends with reverb and delay—making a catchy and smooth song. We listened to the track a dozen times in a sound-treated room with 2 Yamaha Powered speaker system HS-8.
Research on this album concluded that they invested in new equipment. Compared to the band’s last album. For starters, they collected new Synth instruments. (Roland Jupiter 8, Oberheim OBXa, Korg Polysix, and DSI Prophet 12). They also upgraded their vocal recording equipment. From an Advanced Audio CM48 with a Reflexion filter to a Foam vocal booth and a Blue Bottle mic. This investment increased the vocal production of Mayberry’s Performances, adding to the unique quality that is Chvrches.
They combine to make a very poppy Dancy vibe. Created with bass and drums laying the ground, and the synth adding a shine that sits high in the audio spectrum. The keyboard and vocals remain in the middle, drawing attention to the rhythmic sections of the song.
The Blue Bottle microphone is a respected and robust brand, with this particular mic focusing on the Mid to High-mid frequencies. They connected the microphone to a “BAE Audio 1073 preamp and Tube-Tech CL1B compressor” (Doyle, 2015). There are notes of small amounts of reverb that gives it a flare that sits well surrounded by the other instruments.
Note: we measured the decibel levels of the song and then wrote down the differences, but the actual sound levels of the music are dependant on a variety of factors, but the difference will stay the same.
There is little dynamic range in this song. The intro is the quietest section; the next loudest section is the interlude which is 9.1dB louder. After that, verse 2 is more audible by 0.6dB and then Chorus 3 by 0.2dB after that chorus two by 0.2dB. Verse 1 and Chorus 1 are the next loudest by 0.1 dB finally the loudest section is the bridge which is 0.6 dB above that. That means the total range between areas is 10.8 dB. The complete coverage of the song is 19.5dB the end of the song is 22 dB below this, but that is the ending fade, and we were unsure if that would count as part of the dynamic range.
The instruments are also different in each section. The verses are simple drums and a thick bass carrying the melody and synth for rhythm and drama. The transition between the verse and chorus is short, simple, but energetic. A beautiful exchange that blends well and prepares you for the new section. The hook is the powerhouse of the song. An increase in instrumentation gives you the full taste of their style and genre. The Drums remain a constant beat that controls the flow strong, Bass a long and singular tone. The synth and keyboard were coming into play, driving the energy. The overlaying of sound spaced well. The EQ and reverb created a lovely space in which complemented each instrument.
The verse, a short 20sec piece that opens and sets the tone. With the second retaining the power and energy as we move from chorus to chorus. Drums drive the song though with a steady pulsating beat. In every 3rd bar or so there is a Synth that has a robust dramatic feel. It’s a raising 5th or 3rd note that prepares you for the power in the chorus. What’s interesting is the strings, like a bass. It sits quietly in the section like a soft scratch. It is spaced in the distance and heavily distorted, like a clang. It plays through the song but is subtle, until the second verse. It’s much more noticeable, brought forward a little within the mix.
The chorus has a much greater emphasis in terms of instrumentation. Plus, it’s the largest section of the song, spanning 42 seconds each time. The drums remain the same, but the synth comes alive. A beat underlay for high octave note bounces while a low octave group dances with the rhythm and the vocals. The bass also remains hidden but plays well with both synths. It’s like the guitar was acting like a conduit to the power of the synths.
The placement of the instruments in the song is perfect, suit for this genre. The bass covers the ground acting as a blanket or stage with the drums resting against it. The interesting thing is that they moved the high hats a little to the right. Together, they are adding a slight sense of movement within the sonic sound space. The synth is where home is, bringing you to the centre of the song. Hidden away under the layers is a guitar between the drums and synth.
The synth rides in the middle of the sound space, providing a pivotal emphasis on the song. The vocal builds on that, synced with the flow of the keyboard, making a genuinely unique Electronic song.
Conclusion:
With the success of the previous album “The Bones of What You Believe” the group wanted to try something new. In an interview, they called the primary concept “less is more”. The style of this song conforms to their intended desires for this album. The structure states this is the verse, the chorus without overpowering electric instruments.
We intend to resemble many different styles within this project. The key idea we would like to take from this song is the synth and its structure. Our project will try a few of their techniques which may introduce the intended feel with our indie rock song. Take risks, experiment, and look for others to help; otherwise, you don’t learn anything.
Comments