I’ve always been a huge fan of Scottish electro-pop trio Chvrches. Their first two albums, especially, are amongst my favourites of the ‘10s. Following the band’s most recent album Screen Violence, from 2021, singer Lauren Mayberry announced her solo career. She promised her own material would be ‘fun, freaky, sad, weird and joyful’. At last year’s solo gigs, she showcased numerous unreleased tracks, alongside covers of Madonna, Depeche Mode, The 1975 and Texas.

Last autumn, Mayberry put out her first two singles under her own name, Are You Awake? and Shame. Change Shapes is her third and best solo effort so far. She co-wrote it with Cleo Tighe, Evan Blair and Matt Koma (who also produced the cut). Led by a groovy, pulsating bassline, it’s a propulsive, powerful pop anthem. It sees Mayberry railing against the expectations put on her as a woman, and how her efforts as a feminist are constantly undermined by those who think she’s doing both too much and not enough.

Change Shapes by Lauren Mayberry is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This implies that it will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

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In the Wildcards 2024 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.