Just as the year heads to a close and we prepare to reflect on what could be the best new music of 2024, PVRIS have dropped surprise EP ‘F.I.L.T.H’.
Released on October 18th, this will be their 8th body of work, following 3 EPs and 4 LPs, including the critically acclaimed ‘White Noise’ (2014), ‘Hallucinations’ (2019), and ‘Use Me’ (2020). After spending much of 2024 touring across the UK, EU, and America, ‘F.I.L.T.H’ is a perfect way to round out a lively, energetic year.
There have been multiple line-up changes throughout PVRIS’ 12-year history. Now, long-standing vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Lynn Gunn solely takes the reigns, covering vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano, synths, bass, and drum programming. ‘F.I.L.T.H’ further shows Gunn’s commitment to music and the continuation of PVRIS in particular.
‘F.I.L.T.H’ marks a new chapter for PVRIS and is almost entirely collaborative. Totalling 6 features on 4/5 tracks (only Gunn is present on the EP’s closer, ‘OIL & WATER’), it was crafted by all female, non-binary, and queer musicians, including featured artists as well as producers and sound engineers.Speaking on the EP’s creation, Gunn has said, “this is the least stressed I’ve felt making music”.
Not only does this forward-thinking, progressive process inspire a safe environment, but it sets a perfect example of actually practising inclusivity within the industry, especially as Gunn notes “there is so little advocacy to get artists into rooms with women in general”.
PVRIS have long rejected the rigid blueprints of set genres, and instead weave various styles together, from atmospheric, electronica, to alt-rock. This has set PVRIS up well for further experimentation on ‘F.I.L.T.H’, as no collaboration feels distant or out of place.
Opening track ‘Burn The Witch’ is perfectly placed between collaboration and cohesion, finding a midpoint that reassures listeners they’re in safe hands. Featuring Canadian rapper Tommy Genesis and DJ singer-songwriter Alice Longyu Gao, ‘Burn The Witch’ spotlights their talents in their respective verses before returning to Gunn’s guttural chorus growls.
Title track ‘F.I.L.T.H’ takes a slightly different direction with a glitchy bass-heavy backdrop and introductory vocals from Sizzy Rocket and Uffie. Here, the features own more of the vocals, occasionally intertwining with Gunn’s backing harmonies.
‘Reptilian’ features artist and producer Mothica. Its hypnotic beat and instrumentation keep the listeners' attention, allowing Gunn’s and Mothica’s vocals to take shape in whichever form they like. The absence of charging guitars in ‘REPTILIAN’ also makes for a refreshing change in pace, as it utilises more synth and percussion-heavy instrumental. In contrast, the penultimate track ‘THE BLOB’ with scene-icon Lights amps up the ante again in a jagged, demanding manner.
The final track ‘OIL & WATER’ leaves Gunn to her own devices. The slowing tempo, Gunn’s melodies, and soaring electric guitar lines feel ever so slightly reminiscent of PVRIS’ older works - which is likely to be welcomed by fans nostalgic for that sound. After journeying through an eclectic and intriguing collection, ‘OIL & WATER’ proves that no one can quite master a PVRIS track like Gunn herself.
The EP blends a high intensity with nuanced elements, maintaining a fresh, engaging, listening experience. Each collaborator has room to breathe within an experimental soundscape and, with most tracks lingering around the 2-3 minute mark, ‘F.I.L.T.H’ is intricate yet easily digestible.
‘F.I.L.T.H’ is a truly significant and necessary project in an industry which is often isolating and demanding. In this respect, Gunn has realised her intentions: “At its core, I just wanted to make a fun project full of some bad bitches in music that I love and create a space where we can express whatever we want and get to experiment sonically”.
With Gunn hoping to extend this style of work in the future, this would definitely be a way to open up the creative and collaborative outlets for many other artists: ‘I don’t want this to be the only “volume” of this project, there’s too many bad bitches in all music making roles out there to cover in just one release like this. This is something I’d love to continue and grow in”.
The brand new mixtape F.I.L.T.H is available now on all major platforms.
Article By Rachel Feehan
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