Chvrches has officially returned with “Roses,” their first new single in five years, marking a sharp sonic departure for the Scottish synth-pop trio, according to a press release and reporting by NME. The Glasgow band—comprising Lauren Mayberry, Martin Doherty, and Iain Cook—paired the raucous track with a music video featuring Mayberry in a new goth aesthetic standing before a crashed car and a knight’s suit of armor, per Consequence. The release arrives after an extended hiatus during which frontwoman Lauren Mayberry launched a solo career.
The Sonic Shift Behind “Roses”
According to a band press release, “Roses” serves as “a mission statement for the band’s sonic shift.” Critics and outlets note that the track trades the anthemic disco-pop of the group’s 2021 album, Screen Violence, for an industrial, guitar-driven rock sound. Acoustic drums crash and guitars whine while synthesizers take on an atmospheric role, as reported by Consequence. Lyrically, Mayberry takes aim at the political state of Britain, invoking feudalism, colonial history, and monarchy. She sings, “Raise a glass to delusions of the good days of blood and wine; of pearls for swine,” while interpolating the traditional English folk song “Ring a Ring o’ Roses” into the chorus, according to the official materials.
“This is the longest break we had ever taken between albums and when we got together to write new music, we wanted to really push ourselves and not be retreading ground we’d walked before,” Mayberry said in a statement. She added that the new material feels like the group’s most coherent vision to date.
Live Shows and Charity Benefit Details
To celebrate their comeback, Chvrches has scheduled two intimate live performances in the UK for October. The trio will play in Glasgow on October 26 and in London on October 29, with the proceeds going to charity, according to band announcements. Fans can access tickets through an online ballot system on the band’s official website.
These dates precede the band’s appearance at Mexico City’s Corona Capital festival in November, as detailed by Consequence.
Solo Projects and Hiatus Background
The hiatus following Screen Violence saw individual members pursue separate creative paths. In 2023, Mayberry announced her step away to build a solo career, ultimately releasing her debut solo LP, Vicious Creature, in December 2024 and touring behind it in 2025. Meanwhile, Martin Doherty teamed up with Jonny Scott to form a rave-influenced side project called The Leaving, releasing an album titled Ultimate Buzz, while Iain Cook worked on remixes and collaborations, including a project called Protection.
The group first confirmed they were quietly assembling a new record during the summer prior to the single’s rollout. They even previewed another unreleased track, “Conman,” during a Teenage Cancer Trust concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier in the year. Martin Doherty told NME that the forthcoming album is roughly 90 percent complete and will surprise listeners while maintaining the DNA of the original lineup.
Did you know? Chvrches previously recorded a cover of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” for the Hulu series Tell Me Lies, demonstrating their ongoing engagement with heavy, atmospheric rock covers between major album cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last Chvrches album released before “Roses”?
Chvrches released their album, Screen Violence, in 2021.
What are the dates for the upcoming Chvrches UK shows?
The band will perform in Glasgow on October 26 and London on October 29, with proceeds benefiting charity.
Where can fans listen to “Roses”?
The single and its accompanying music video are available to stream across major digital music platforms and video streaming services.
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