Album Review: PVRIS’ ‘White Noise’

It just so happens that I picked the coldest night of the season to listen to PVRIS’ stunning debut, White Noise. It’s pretty fitting atmosphere, considering this is 2014’s most chilling release yet. With an on-going theme of ghosts and, to put it bluntly, feeling “dead inside,” one can’t help but wonder why this album wasn’t released in October. Either way, the colder it gets, the more you’re going to want to snuggle up at home and dive into this album.

When I first heard lead single, “St. Patrick,” back in June, I knew I needed to keep this Boston trio on my radar. Vocalist Lynn Gunn has the ability to punch you in the gut with urgency all while making you feel things you didn’t know you possessed. White Noise is a genre-bending masterpiece from start to finish, mixing in elements of rock, electronic and pop sensibilities to reel you in lyrically and sonically. If you read my blog frequently, you’ll notice that I’m more of an indie/synthpop kind of gal, but PVRIS exceeds my expectations every time and I’m more than pleasantly surprised with what came out of my speakers.

There are albums that you can relate to and then there are albums that are you personified. With the topics of inner turmoil, regret, hate, love, desire, religion, and a plea for help, White Noise delivers on the therapeutic front demonstrating that we are all human and capable of so many destructible yet lovely things.

Opening track, “Smoke,” in all its luscious glory, plays on the subject of how we lose ourselves in illusions which can ultimately destroy us, yet we keep following. “My House,” which I wish was out four years ago when I needed it, says everything I’ve ever wanted to say in less than five minutes while “Holy” takes on the self-righteous, spitting on the holier-than-thou who walk around spreading hypocrisy in the name of God, a problem I’ve been noticing the closer I get to God.

Title track, “White Noise,” is a chilling plea for responsiveness. We constantly try to form bonds through a “static screen,” yet what we sometimes can’t see is how the other side is completely tuned out, despite our affections.

The more I lose myself in this album, the more I see how this one is going to be so beneficial to my breakthrough. Through music, we can either dwell on the past while creating our own monsters or we can use the artist’s words to help us become better, wiser and stronger. Last track, “Let Them In,” depicts a rotten relationship right down to its core with hard-hitting lyrics like, “You’ve had me going out of my mind. I wanna feel something that’s not the touch of your breath on my neck. I wanna feel something that’s not the weight of your world in my head.” With powerful prose like that, I’m on my way to something I never thought I could attain.

White Noise is a hard-hitting representation of life in its entire twisted splendor. If you’ve ever known pain and found a way out of the tunnel, this album has your name on it. If you’re ready to finally feel things you kept hidden, you’re going to want to spend some time with this album. White Noise is full of uncomfortable emotions, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

White Noise is available now HERE.

More For You

Artist Of The Month: PVRIS

LIGHTS Dazzles at New York’s Irving Plaza