“I’m at a loss for words under a full moon / Staring at the ceiling of a white room.
Does the mirror in the corner see my shame too? Or a different view?”
In their sophomore album, PVRIS explores a narrative that sticks to the ethereal sound that drew their fans in on White Noise while sharing deeply personal feelings that are on another level. All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell recounts the feelings of slowly losing love and acknowledging the emptiness in order to heal. The truthful lyrics and ambient sound, produced from recording in an old church, are eerily enchanted.
The album shows hints of 80s goth rock aesthetic in “Half.” It starts off with echoing, gritty chords and soft vocals that convey the emptiness that the band wants to highlight on the record. Echoes blend into crashing drums that evoke the chaos of having your world changed. This balance of hollow ghostly sounds and powerful driving ones submerges you into the story behind the album.
“Winter” continues taking us through a tale of grief through reflective lyrics on how sometimes ending things is better than holding on to them. When Gunn sings “Can you burn a fire in my flesh? ‘Cause your love’s so cold I see my breath.” there is desperation in her words and you will feel them.
All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell is a powerful statement; PVRIS has connected with negative emotion to make something beautiful in a way that I haven’t heard in awhile. This tale will haunt you long past its final note, and you will never want it to stop.
Buy it, Stream it, or Skip it?: Buy it. This spellbinding confession is something you’re gonna want to listen to on repeat.
