This band has been on my radar for quite some time actually. I’ve seen them around on Facebook and Instagram, but I never gave them a real listen until just a few months ago, and I really wish I’d done it sooner. It was when I was sitting in my room while I was living in Florida that I randomly decided to download their album White Noise on Spotify.
It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting, or even what I was hoping for to be honest. I do my best not to anticipate a bands sound too much based on what they look like, but the two so often are related. PVRIS definitely doesn’t sound like what you would think – or at least what I thought. I was expecting something heavier, and I was excited for it too because you don’t see too many female fronted bands that have a truly heavy sound.
However, as different as they were from my expectations, I wasn’t at all disappointed.
Some History
Probably one of your first questions is how on earth do you pronounce the band name?? I had the same question and for a while, I didn’t even bother trying and just kind of went with it. After a while, though I did get curious so I looked it up. Turns out, it’s pronounced like Paris – which they were originally going to call themselves but changed it for legal reasons.
PVRIS originally formed in Lowell, Massachusetts, first under the name Operation Guillotine. It’s almost a shame that they changed it from this if you ask me – I think that’s a pretty cool name. They were originally a metalcore band (which is, incidentally, more what I was expecting before I actually listened). Their lineup soon changed, however, and it now had Lyndsay Gunnulfsen on guitar and vocals.
When they went into the studio to record their first album with this new lineup, is when their sound changed so drastically. March 26, 2013 was the release of their self-titled debut EP. It was the following summer that they signed with Tragic Hero, and officially changed their name from “Paris” to “PVRIS.” They also did a short stint on that summer’s Van’s Warped Tour after winning a contest.
It was about a year later that they announced they had signed to Rise and Velocity. Their debut full length White Noise was released on November 4, 2014.
Workout Music?
While their music is definitely catchy, I never would have thought that I’d find myself playing White Noise over and over again in the gym. It’s catchy but I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily very fast-paced, and it’s certainly not the most energetic music I’ve ever heard. Don’t get me wrong, it has it’s own energy, but not the kind that really pumps you up. And yet, I really like working out to these guys.
I’m honestly not exactly sure why, but I love it in the gym. Maybe it’s because Lynn’s voice mixed with the stories that are interwoven into the lyrics have a way of transporting you somewhere else. Perhaps it’s the way that it is able to take me away from where I really am. Because of this it really elevates my focus in the gym.
Anyway, whatever the reason, I think the fact that this music is so helpful to me in the gym while not being typical “workout music” really says something.
The title Track White Noise is definitely my favourite in the gym. The music video also caters a little bit to my love of horror!
Conclusion
There is definitely something special about the sound that PVRIS has created for themselves. It’s very mystical – magical even. And very beautiful without being boring or unoriginal. It’s catchy and interesting and I really like it. So far, White Noise is their only full length – although they are releasing a deluxe edition with a few new songs that I’m excited to check out. However, they have been around for a while and while I totally respect the fact that they want to take their time with new music – they have every right – I soo can’t wait for some new stuff! I think they have started to escalate quite a bit recently, as I’m seeing more and more of them around the internet lately. These guys are definitely going places and I’m really looking forward to being there for it.
Want to Listen?
White Noise is available on Amazon:
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