CHVRCHES made their first two albums in their hometown of Glasgow, but in 2015 they relocated to New York and recorded Love Is Dead in L.A. Inspired by America's murky political landscape, the band offset their euphoric synth-pop with melancholy lyrics. Yet despite its reflective mood, this album delivers more bold arena-ready tracks than ever. Singer Lauren Mayberry breaks free from the cloaked metaphors of their second LP, Every Open Eye, and speaks directly about sexism, politics and heartbreak throughout, with “Graves” defiantly lending a voice to Syrian refugees and the cinematic “Really Gone” contemplating belonging. She bemoans blind love on “My Enemy”, a brooding duet with The National’s Matt Berninger.