Clearest Blue

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"Clearest Blue"
Chvrches - Clearest Blue - 2015.jpg
Single by CHVRCHES
from the album Every Open Eye
Released10 September 2015 (2015-09-10)
Recorded2015
Genre
Length3:53
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Chvrches
Chvrches singles chronology
"Never Ending Circles"
(2015) 		"Clearest Blue"
(2015) 		"Empty Threat"
(2015)
Music video
"Clearest Blue" on YouTube

"Clearest Blue" is a song by Scottish synth-pop band Chvrches and the third single from their second studio album, Every Open Eye. The song is featured in the soundtrack of Forza Horizon 3 and plays on the in-game radio station Horizon Pulse, and in the soundtrack to season 1 of The Politician.

Background[]

While talking about the origins of the song on the Song Exploder podcast, Martin Doherty and Iain Cook explained that the trio originally intended "Clearest Blue" to be a laid back song with just two chords, but because they're notoriously bad at sticking to their own rules, they ended up with something completely divergent from those principles. After coming up with the base sample, they bounced ideas around, with Martin adding "nonsense vocals" to establish the basic cadences of the song. Lauren Mayberry began writing the lyrics to replace these vocals, but found herself frequently concerned that her pessimism would bleed through into the lyrics of the song in parts intended to be hopeful and optimistic. The song is typically described as building and building until it ultimately explodes at its melodic climax, but Doherty described it as more of an analytical climax, and that the vocal approach is not intended to be "super climactic, like punch[ing] the air" and that it is better described as a "moment of rest."[1]

Live performances[]

"Clearest Blue" debuted at Ottawa Bluesfest on 15 July 2015 as the opening song of Chvrches' first show since the conclusion of their 2013–2014 The Bones of What You Believe tour.[2] The song was further promoted by Chvrches in a number of live appearances, including at the Pitchfork Music Festival[3] and The Late Late Show with James Corden.[4]

Critical reception[]

"Clearest Blue" received positive acclaim from critics. NME called this song "the album's most heart-bursting moment".[5] A review from Stereogum said this "might be the strongest for a simple reason: it builds and builds and builds and doesn’t break down until you’ve nearly lost faith that it will".[6] Spin called the song "earnest and danceable" and praised its powerful opening notes, but "the song really blossoms about halfway through with an absolutely breathtaking breakdown that bursts through the tension they've been building up."[7]

Music video[]

A music video for the song was released on 19 February 2016.[8]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Chvrches.

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Clearest Blue" (Album version)3:53

Charts[]

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[9] 74
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[10] 195
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] 43

References[]

  1. ^ "Song Exploder: CHVRCHES". SoundCloud (Podcast). 23 June 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  2. ^ Bussieres, Micayla (22 July 2015). "The Gaslight Anthem, CHVRCHES @ Ottawa Bluesfest 7/15/2015". Ride The Tempo. Archived from the original on 17 May 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Chvrches perform "Clearest Blue" - Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Chvrches Give Electric Performance of 'Clearest Blue' on 'James Corden'". diffuser.fm. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  5. ^ Mackay, Emily (16 September 2015). "Chvrches - 'Every Open Eye'". NME. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  6. ^ Tully Claymore, Gabriela (10 September 2015). "Chvrches - "Clearest Blue"". Stereogum. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  7. ^ Grebey, James (10 September 2015). "CHVRCHES Launch Soaring, Standout New 'Every Open Eye' Track, 'Clearest Blue'". Spin. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Chvrches Release "Clearest Blue" Video | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Chvrches Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  10. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 19.09.2015 (wk38)". zobbel.de. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Chvrches Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
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