Chvrches - Hansa Session ((Vinyl))

For many bands, it's a rite of passage to release acoustic renditions of their songs, and it's one that Chvrches undergoes with the Hansa Session EP. During their tour in support of Love Is Dead, the trio took the opportunity to record unplugged versions of some of the album's songs at Berlin's famed Hansa studio, which has hosted David Bowie, Depeche Mode, and Nick Cave, among others. While many acts bring in the acoustic guitars and strings to add more emotional weight to their songs, the Love Is Dead songs Chvrches chose to remake on Hansa Session were already among the most moving on the album. "Graffiti" remains a wide-eyed highlight, while the hushed original version of "Really Gone" foreshadowed this release and sounds equally poignant here. The band takes the opportunity to experiment on "Heaven/Hell," which features a string arrangement that opens up the song and gives it more movement. However, the EP's most transformed song has to be "Miracle"; without the original version's heavy breakdowns, it feels searching instead of defiant. Though it's missing the magic that happens when Lauren Mayberry's voice combines with Iain Cook and Martin Doherty's synths, Hansa Session is still a nice change of musical scenery for Chvrches and their fans. ~ Heather Phares

• RSD Release Date: n/a
• Genre: Pop