This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes. We stand with the SAG-AFTRA. Without them, the movies and television shows we cover would not exist.
Sometimes when listening to music, you can stumble on an artist you’ve never heard of before and instantly become a fan. That’s what happened to me when I discovered PVRIS (pronounced “Paris”). PVRIS was one of those bands that I saw pop up occasionally on those things where they suggest an artist, and you gloss over it. One day in 2018, I was listening to music, and a song that I found to be highly catchy and lyrical started playing, and I didn’t skip past it. The song was “What’s Wrong.” When I looked at who the artist was, I realized it was PVRIS.
The vocals of Lyndsey Gunnulfsen (Lynn Gunn) immediately entranced me, and I felt like she was speaking to my soul with every word she said. Naturally, I began deep diving into her music to hear more. Now, I know that PVRIS has gone through many changes over the years musically and band-wise, but one thing has remained steadfast, at least for me, and that is that Gunn is incredible. And her fourth album Evergreen is a reminder of that and why I love all things PVRIS.
In an interview with NME, Gunn described Evergreen as a “reclamation of control in our post-pandemic culture, posing a complex discussion on fame, technology, spectacle, and female autonomy.” Gunn went on to say, “If you search the definition of ‘evergreen,’ you will find words like enduring, timeless, fresh, unlimited, and renewal. In our modern culture where everything is online, algorithm-based, and instantaneous, it feels like timelessness, longevity, and connection could someday become dying concepts…”
We aren’t famous, but we can relate to a lot of this. With Evergreen, we think PVRIS has weaved an intricate and lyrical story that hits all the bases. Once again, we are tasked with the difficulty of ranking our favorite tracks. There are so many good songs on this album, and no skips.
Check out below how we rank all of the tracks off Evergreen by PVRIS.
11. “Good Enemy”
Why We Love It: This track has a 90-ish rock vibe that makes you want to bounce around your bedroom and dance like no one is watching. And it’s a relatable track because we can be our own best friend and our worst enemy.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
It’s like world war me
And I don’t want peace
I would rather bleed
All the misery loves company
And I can’t break free
10. “Goddess”
Why We Love It: We never tire of a good anthem about female autonomy. This track is gritty and another one that makes you want to dance. When Gunn explained the meaning behind the track, she said, “I wanted whoever is listening to feel empowered in whichever body they occupy and to tap into their inner goddess! I had started the song before the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the countless bills being passed against the trans community, so this message feels even more relevant and important today.” We couldn’t agree more. And this song is right on time.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Dance goddess dance, from Toledo to Japan
You got wings on command, you can fly like no one can
So come back from the dead, keep ’em guessing Lazarus
“Is she a woman or a man?” I’m a motherfucking brand
9. “I Don’t Want To Do This Anymore”
Why We Love It: haven’t we all had a day or two when we’ve said, “I don’t want to do this anymore” about things in our lives? PVRIS speaks to us with this song because it is incredibly relatable and a total mood. The chorus is cathartic because it’s almost therapeutic to let it out.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Pray for better times
‘Cause something doesn’t feel right
Am I losing my mind?
Everyday and all night
Promise that I’m fine
But something doesn’t feel right
Am I losing my mind?
‘Cause lately I’ve been feeling like
I don’t wanna do this anymore
I don’t wanna do this anymore
I don’t care what I said before
I don’t wanna do this anymore
8. “Animal”
Why We Love It: Animal is another song that we feel deeply. In a world where we’re beginning to feel more and more like folks are trying to control our every move, this track reminds us that we don’t have to conform, and the more you try to put us all in a cage, the more we will rebel.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Don’t tell me that you know me, know me
Sayin’ what I feel, what I do, what I want
Quit actin’ like you own me, own me
Sayin’ that I’m yours to control, but I’m not
Your animal (ah-ah)
Under control (oh)
Your animal (ah-ah)
Sayin’ what I feel, what I do, what I want
7. “Take My Nirvana”
Why We Love It: This track, written and produced by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, is pretty self-explanatory. It’s all about not letting anyone steal your peace. That’s something we can all get behind.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Walking in like a lamb into the slaughter
Can’t comprehend how you do this every time
‘Cause no one else can turn wine back into water
Steal the charm just like a crook
You wrote the book on killing vibes
You’re the worst kind of criminal, yeah
You miss your shots
Treat me like I’m invisible
Is that all you got? Oh
I don’t have time for your drama
Follow me around like piranhas
You’re acting like you don’t, but you wanna
Take my nirvana
Take my nirvana, no
Steady sweating me like a sauna
All it’s gonna be is bad karma
You’re acting like you don’t, but you wanna
Take my nirvana
Take my nirvana
6. “Evergreen”
Why We Love It: Evergreen is a song that I honestly can’t really describe. It feels like a song about loneliness to me. When Gunn explained what the song was about she had this to say “I was thinking a lot about exploitation in the entertainment industry and the glorification of youth in pop culture. Almost being 30, I was reflecting on my age and my place in the world, coming to terms with getting older and learning to embrace my longer journey and honoring that.”
Lyrics That Hit Us:
I think I felt God strike me from the top
Humbled my ass real quick
I thought I had it all, but it went wrong
Felt like an acid trip
Bite my tongue, right my wrongs
But I don’t wanna deal with it
Came to peace with my ego slipping
I can’t help feel like I’m a little alone
It’s no use to try, what’s the point if I
Still just feel like I’m a little alone?
‘Cause no one gives a damn shit less you’re dead
Or you’re seventeen, a little born prodigy, ayy
Everyone could care less ’til you’re dead
Or you’re sеventeen, I wanna be evеrgreen
5. “Hype Zombies”
Why We Love It: We don’t think we can explain this one either, but we’re going to try. To us, this feels like a song about feeling yourself. Almost like you’re hyping yourself up, sort of on an ego trip. Thinking about the people who told you that you couldn’t accomplish something and it’s like you’re rising from the dead to reclaim your spot. And let’s face it, we can all agree we have had those moments in our lives, whether we want to admit it or not.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
I’ve been taking notes of everyone who went and slept on me
Dug a couple graves, they got their names up by the mausoleum
Kiss ’em all goodbye, look in the eyes when I say, “Rest in peace”
Give just what you get, place your bets, it’s my destiny
I let it slide every time, but that’s on me
I let it die on the side, what you told me
When it’s time, when it’s right, yeah, you want me
When it’s time, I’ll be back like a zombie
4. “Senti-Mental”
Why We Love It: We love this track not just because of Gunn’s vocals but because it’s a song we understand. It’s all about holding your emotions in because you don’t want to let your walls down. We all have times when we try to keep our emotions from getting the best of us. That can be detrimental to our well-being though and we think these lyrics sum those feelings up perfectly.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Can’t be breaking down
No, I barely cry
‘Cause I’m too worn out
Got me half alive
Friends are phasing out
Always say goodbye
Am I losing touch, do I feel enough?
But I know if I If I was sentimental (I’d go mental)
Start spinning out of control (psycho central)
If I was sentimental, I’d be losing my mind
Lose my mind, lose my mind, lose my mind, ooh
3. “Love Is A…”
Why We Love It: This was one of the tracks I immediately became obsessed with when PVRIS released it. There was just something about the lyrics. This is a love song that is sensual but it’s not written like a typical love song, yet I understand everything being conveyed. One of the things that can be challenging about writing songs is trying to be unique in what you want to say. PVRIS forces the listener to think deeper when they hear their songs. Love Is A… is a song about letting the passion of being with your lover take over and not being afraid to express your sexuality.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Like a virgin, a Madonna
On my knees praying for a hunter
You got a wild heart in your cage
Little death but I want another
And another, and another
I want it bad and I got no shame
Just put your hands around my throat
Ain’t been to Heaven but I’m close
Your love is a murder
Your love is a murder
I’ll let you touch me sweet and slow
Just take my body and my soul
Your love is a murder
Your love is a murder
2. “Headlights”
Why We Love It: Headlights is another song that we love because of Gunn’s vocals. And the way she described what the song is about makes so much sense. “There was a period of making this album when I was visiting my hometown a lot. I spent a lot of time out in nature and was really calmed by driving around at night with the windows down. I loved the way winding roads with lush greenery looked when they were lit by headlights—it felt like a dream world that I wanted to jump into. This song was a way to try to capture that feeling.”
We love this so much because Headlights really does feel exactly as she describes it. The song feels like one that you could listen to on a night drive. As someone who enjoys night driving and playing certain songs to capture those vibes, this is the absolute perfect track for that.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Summers in the headlights
Wind is in my hair, yeah
You’re everything that I like
But I’m always in my head
I’m always in my head
I wish that I could feel right
‘Cause every little thing is fine by your side
Hanging by a thread
My mind is in the clouds again
Can’t tell what’s ahead
Or how the last week came and went
Tuned out what you said
My fault, that’s something I’ll admit
And all I really know is
1. “Anywhere But Here”
Why We Love It: Anyone who is anyone has had a moment where we wished we could be somewhere else. When life gets to be too much, sometimes you just want to run away and see what’s on the other side. We all look for moments of peace somewhere and Anywhere But Here is a song all about escapism.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
It feels so sad in the summer
We’re goin’ under
Pull up the covers
Sounds like car crashin’ thunder
Losin’ a lover
Your mother, your brother
I want, I want you to take me
Anywhere but here
I want, I want you to take me
Anywhere but here, anywhere but here
Have you listened to Evergreen by PVRIS? What songs are your favorite and how would you rank them?
