tell me lies, tell me sweet lil’ WHITE LIES.

Are White Lies just another flash in the post-punk pan? Let’s hope not.

Already the new darlings of many indie circles even before their debut LP, ‘To Lose my Life’ was released, the band were first on the bill for the  Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig 2009 that featured Crystal Castles, Franz Ferdinand and long time goth heroes, The Cure.

Previously called ‘Fear of Flying’, the band shifted its style from one that was “danceable-indie” to one that was more moody, melancholic and dark. It also didn’t help that McVeigh’s (Harry) voice have been likened to the late Ian Curtis’ (Joy Division) or Tom Smith’s (Editors). That being said, I put all three bands’ songs on my iTunes playlist and aptly named it “Post-Punk: the real and the like”. What sets White Lies apart from the other post-punk tributes is that they have managed to interpret the dark gothic mood of the 80′s post-punk for modern consumption and make it their own. A style that I’m sure that even the old faithful will approve.

My favourite song, ‘Unfinished Business’ on first listen, sounded like a typical Editors’ song intro, however at 2:00, when the song goes into its full glory, it has that Killers’ type bassline found on ‘This is your Life’. This is what I meant by White Lies being able to interpret this genre for modern consumption –  ”Big Anthem-ish” choruses that follow dark and moody verses/lyrics. This song alone talks of a suicide pact that was not fulfilled by a girlfriend, as she begs for forgiveness from murdering her lover. However, he is willing to wait for her at the end:

“You got blood your hands,

And I know it’s mine

I just need more time
So get of your low, let’s dance like we used to
But there’s a light in the distance, waiting for me
I will wait for you
So get of your low, let’s kiss like we used to”

This is definitely White Lies’ year.

White Lies – Unfinished Business

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Death (Crystal Castles Remix) – White lies (Right Click, “save as”)

Death – White lies (Right Click “save as”)

White Lies – To Lose My Life now is available at all good music stores