Review by Shannon Shumaker
All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell is everything PVRIS fans have hoped for and more. The trio’s second full-length album not only further cements their place in the alternative scene but also finds the band expanding on their ever-changing sound once more, moving in a more synth driven, electropop influenced direction. As PVRIS have proven in the past, they are a band that is unburdened by one specific genre and All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell just goes to show that they’re capable of anything.
Following any successful release is difficult, but PVRIS met the challenge with ease on this All We Know Of Heaven. Opening the album is the massive “Heaven,” driven heavily by bass and drums and topped off with some of vocalist Lynn Gunn’s most powerful work to date. PVRIS are strong right out of the gates with this poppier track which thankfully still hosts that haunting sound that the band established early on with their debut album, White Noise. “Heaven” then flows perfectly into the synth-driven “Half.”
Lyrically, one of the strongest songs on the album is the third track, “Anyone Else.” Although it doesn’t necessarily hit hard like the opening track, the hook, “I don’t belong to anyone else,” is very empowering. Musically, this song continues to step into the more synth/electronic influenced sound (think Zedd meets The Neighbourhood at times) but it’s a welcome change. PVRIS make the sonic shift effortlessly, and the following song, “What’s Wrong” is further proof of that. Like “Anyone Else,” “What’s Wrong” is very poppy and synth-driven, but manages to weave that trademark dark PVRIS sound in there – it’s big, pounding and hard hitting in its own way.
Each song on All We Need Of Heaven shares a very ambient, moody tone, but thankfully, no two songs sound too similar. Where “Walk Alone” is more on the mellow and verging on a hip-hop influenced sound, “Same Soul” is hard hitting and filled with fire and rage as Gunn spits, “I’m just somebody that you used to know.” “Winter” is laid back and driven by oscillating synth, perfect for night drives, where the following “No Mercy” is explosive.
If you’ve ever listened to an incredible album and wondered to yourself, “how are they supposed to top that?” PVRIS have gone ahead and given you a step by step guide. When the band blew up following the release of White Noise, which established their unique sound, it was obvious that it would be hard to follow, but All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell has done an incredible job at continuing the saga. It doesn’t feel as if PVRIS is trying to one-up their last album or create White Noise part two but instead, this album finds the band exploring new musical territory and stands strong on its own. All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell will surely launch PVRIS even further into the spotlight.
LISTEN TO: “Anyone Else” or “What’s Wrong”
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