PVA – No More Like This

Nearly four years after dropping their debut, Blush, to critical acclaim, London-based electronic trio PVA – comprising Ella Harris, Josh Baxter and Louis Satchell – have released their highly anticipated follow-up, No More Like This. During their hiatus, the group performed at Pitchfork Festival and headlined across Europe and America, notably earning a Grammy nomination for a Mura Masa remix of their breakout track, Talks.

While Blush echoed the sonic design of an underground Berlin club night with punk-style basslines and thumping beats, this latest record marks a transition into greater introspectiveness. Delving into themes of intimacy and vulnerability, the project draws inspiration from a multitude of genres, including R&B, industrial techno, and electro-pop, a la SOPHIE and Björk. This shift represents a significant artistic evolution, moving away from pure dancefloor utility toward a more nuanced, layered experience that demands the listener’s full attention.

The opener, Rain, features futuristic synths and seductive drumming, creating an atmospheric soundscape that is immediately enticing. Harris and Baxter provide a spoken-word delivery, with background vocals harmonically layered breathily to create a dream-like trance. The subsequent tracks, Enough and Mate, continue this pattern of rhythmic speech over groovy, industrial-influenced production. While technically impressive, the record occasionally needs greater melodic versatility to prevent the mid-section from feeling stagnant.

This sense of repetition hits with Peel; despite its precision, the flow feels restrained due to limited variation in inflection. Similarly, Anger Song could have benefited from a more passionate or urgent delivery to match its title. However, the collection concludes on a formidable three-track stretch. Flood is the undeniable standout, featuring purposeful layering and a moving contrast between verses and choruses; the use of piano gives the piece an authentic, intimate feel. Similarly, Okay boasts impressive percussion and a seductive bassline that complements the record’s central themes.

No More Like This is an imperfect effort, yet it remains a compelling testament to the trio’s growth. While the pacing occasionally falters, repeated listens reveal a depth of production and songwriting that resonates deeply with the anxieties of Millennials and Gen Z. Ultimately, PVA have traded the strobe lights for something far more human, cementing their status as one of the UK’s most unpredictable and intriguing electronic acts.