Chvrches on Love Is Dead, hitting back at online misogyny and weathering tough times

When Chvrches exploded onto the scene in 2013, they sounded the first notes of a synth-pop revival that's still going strong today. From their basement studio in Glasgow, Scotland, they released two albums of powerful, pop-minded anthems. Their sophomore album Every Open Eye reached number eight on the Billboard Top 100 and really cemented their crossover from alternative indie-pop band to big crossover success. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing.

Lauren Mayberry, the singer for Chvrches, has spoken out about how much she's been trolled, heckled and abused as the woman at the centre of an ambitious band. But the band hasn't let that hold them back. Chvrches have returned with a new album called Love is Dead, which is out now. 

That record saw them leave their Glasgow basement for the sunshine of L.A., and, for the first time, enlist the help of a producer outside of the band. They chose Greg Kurstin, the multi-Grammy award-winning producer of Adele, Beck and Sia, just to name a few. Mayberry, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty of the band talk to guest host Ali Hassan about what it's like to weather out hard times and why, after the quick-fire success of their first two albums, they felt the need to slow down.

— Produced by Frank Palmer

Chvrches, Never Say Die