PVRIS – Evergreen
Continuing their move towards alt-pop precision, Lyndsey Gunnulfsen's dancey fourth effort under the PVRIS name radiates confidence and charisma
PVRIS haven’t often adhered to the norms of their scene. Following multi-instrumentalist Lyndsey Gunnulfsen’s confidence to ditch the punk and the band to become the central solo figure on last LP Use Me, album four solidifies an ever-shifting sound while maintaining a rebellious attitude across topics of fame, female autonomy, and post-pandemic culture.
Sonically, Evergreen follows in the kicking heels of Use Me’s dancey dark-pop, empowered again by thumping beats and spiky synth work. Gloriously clean production meets distorted instrumentation, harnessing Gunnulfsen's gritty but playful voice on undeniably anthemic tracks I Don’t Wanna Do This Anymore, Animals, Goddess, and Good Enemy (it’s not a PVRIS record without some ludicrously huge choruses and grooves, is it?)
Softer, radio-friendly moments operate on opposites, channelling Gunnulfsen’s cleaner tones into angelic harmonies and dulcified melodies, although this does halt momentum past the halfway mark before Love Is A...'s emphatic resurgence. Carrying on the trajectory from gloom-punk to polished alt-pop, Evergreen is another step towards a more complete, confident PVRIS sound with Gunnulfsen appearing at her most confident to date. Even if it doesn’t always hit the mark, Evergreen is an album that should see Gunnulfsen continue to climb festival line-ups and charts alike.
Listen to: Animal, Goddess, I Don't Wanna Do This Anymore