Chvrches front the April issue of DIY!

Across the past five years, Chvrches have effortlessly risen to become one of Britain’s biggest bands. From the foundations of 2013 debut ‘The Bones Of What You Believe’ to its propulsive, vital follow-up ‘Every Open Eye’, every next step the band have taken has just seen them become more confident, catchy and important.

As such, with the band’s third album ‘Love Is Dead’ due out in May, we’re delighted to welcome them back to the cover of DIY to dig into their next steps, their boldest yet. “On paper, ‘Chvrches makes album in L.A.’ sounds terrible,” Lauren Mayberry scoffs, talking about the band’s move Stateside to craft the album with producer Greg Kurstin.

“I’m on the record [in interviews] all over the place saying we would never co-write with anyone,” Martin Doherty admits, “because I totally believed it at the time.” After speed-dating a few producers - with mixed results - the band instantly clicked with Greg. “It’s best to date before you get married. Maybe this metaphor extends,” he grins, “but it was three albums in before we were willing to sleep with somebody.” His bandmates groan simultaneously.

Chvrches are joined in the new issue of DIY - out on Friday (30th March) - by Goat Girl, who release their brilliant, sprawling debut album next week, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, who takes a step into weirder territory on new album ‘Sex & Food’.

Also in the new issue is our report back from the melting pot that is SXSW, with all the action from our showcases and beyond in Austin. Disclaimer: it got pretty messy. Speedy Ortiz are also in the new issue, scrapping an album of love songs in favour of the biting social commentary of third album ‘Twerp Verse’.

We also catch up with Years & Years’ Olly Alexander, talking through the band’s fantastic, outrageous return with new single ‘Sanctify’, and what to expect from the trio for the rest of the year.

In Neu, we head to the countryside to meet Anteros, who are hard at work on their sure-to-be-brilliant debut album, get a tour around The Rising Sun, the notorious South London base of buzzy collective A House In The Trees, and dive into the (self-confessed) batshit crazy world of Sofi Tukker.

With reviews of new albums from Jack White to The Vaccines, and reports from the emotional final Wild Beasts show, Alvvays’ London return, Bon Iver’s Hammersmith Apollo residency and more, it’s absolutely jam-packed.

The new issue comes out on Friday (30th March), and it’s set to be a very Good Friday indeed. You can pre-order a copy (or subscribe) below.