Hallucinations - EP - PVRIS

I was just rereading my thoughts on the first two singles from this release, and realizing how often I let my first impressions cloud my judgement. While the first two singles were a little more dance/pop oriented, the remaining songs on the EP really surprised me in the sound and direction. They still had this heavier electronic influence, but they incorporated much more of the alternative-rock/edgier sound that I have really enjoyed from the band over the years. Not only that, but the first two singles made much more sense within the context of the entire release (what a surprise). "Hallucinations" and "Death of Me" have definitely grown on me in the last few months of listening to them - to the point where I'm beginning to think I like this musical direction better than I did for their entire last album, All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell. "Nightmare" continues the same momentum that the singles did, but with a bit more blending of the old alt-rock sounds with the heavy synths and beats, as well as vocalist Lynn Gunn really letting the grit into her voice.

The two songs that really stuck out to me were the closing tracks: "Things Are Better" and "Old Wounds". "Things Are Better" is a stand out in the arrangement and energy - no pulsing beats or roaring guitars to lead the way, but somber piano chords and layered vocal tracks create a more stripped down, intimate experience. The more I listened to this song, the more it reminded me of one of my favorite songs from PVRIS, "Empty". It feels almost like a sequel to the song, a natural progression of that vulnerable sound. "Old Wounds" continues this darker, more mournful tone, but ramps up the energy with a much bigger sound and range of elements. The guitars and synths take turns dialing up the intensity as Gunn's vocals slowly grow louder and more animated, climaxing with the final chorus where she is practically screaming - and finishes the song with a soaring yell that is quite the finale for the EP.

The lyrics of this EP really felt powerful, especially for the last two tracks of the release. "Things Are Better" seems to be centered on a past, harmful relationship and the tolls it takes. Just from the opening line, it is clear this is not a pretty picture - "Not numb but not feeling too much now". The second verse really feels like it illustrates the nature of the relationship:

"I'm done always giving too much now 'Cause you take everything, turn it around Twisted up all I said Every word and every letter".

While somewhat different, "Old Wounds" also dwells on a previous relationship that seems to have ended but could possibly flare up again (side note - Gunn talked in an interview that "Old Wounds and "Nightmare" were written at the same time and are almost two sides of the same coin, lyrically). Hence, the opening line:

"They say don't open old wounds,

But you're still brand new".

and a repeated line from the second and third verses:

"And I've got nothing left to lose besides you I've already lost you once, what more could you do?"

Some of the more memorable lines this band has written have come from this record, and I'm very much a fan of the raw vulnerability shown here.

Overall, I was very surprised by this EP - by the sound, and by how much I ended up enjoying it. It's given me more hope for my continued enjoyment and following of this band, and for what musical endeavor is next for them. EPs usually are a prelude to a full album, so hopefully we'll be hearing more from PVRIS in 2020.

Recommended: "Death of Me", "Things Are Better", "Old Wounds"