There’s always been a weird sort of relationship between the independent music scene and Top 40 pop. Often, indie often derides pop for lack of artistic integrity, separating itself from the cheap tricks of pop to make serious music. But there are other times where indie tries to beat pop at its own game, shoving even more hooks and dance hooks into three minutes, which always ends up dripping with irony.

Then, there’s CHVRCHES.

The synthesizers, dance rhythms, and occasional autotune on the Glasgow trio’s debut wouldn’t be out of place next to Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, or Britney Spears on an iTunes playlist. But at the same time, the sincerity of the craftsmanship (and some of the weirder elements) would also be at home next to Grizzly Bear, Sigur Ros, and Radiohead on the record shelf. The Bones of What you Believe is a brilliantly catchy, carefully created pop record that is free from the irony that indie kids often carry with them to pop. And sometimes, that’s exactly what the world needs.