White Lies bring back the 80s with new album Big TV at Hoxton showcase

It’s been over four years since White Lies leapt on to the airwaves with the hugely popular To Lose My Life. The critically lauded album debuted at the top of the charts and White Lies were quickly marked for stardom by magazines and media channels across the UK, before joining the sold-out NME awards tour. White Lies drew comparison to some of the UK’s best loved artists such as Joy Division, The Editors, David Bowie and New York’s Interpol. Their dark, post-punk music and effusive lyrics were as popular on album as they were live.

The title track from their first album To Lose My Life centres on the anthemic chorus, which is a popular format for White Lies. It is three minutes of indie pop that’s likeable, but lacks longevity. Also from their debut album, Farewell to the Fairground is one of the band’s biggest hits with a piano intro reminiscent of Bowie’s Ashes To Ashes and a driving bass vanguard. The lyrics are simple and catchy and the audience sings along to every word. Similarly, The Power & the Glory from Ritual is a slice of dark electro-pop with a memorable chorus. Will they be able to replicate this mass appeal with their new material?

New single There Goes Our Love Again from Big TV is instantly recognisable as White Lies. The 80s riffs, big drums and looped lyrics make it an immediate live favourite with fans. Whilst it isn’t a giant leap from their older material, the echo on the vocal modernises the sound with a flavour of Ed MacFarlane from Friendly Fires. Available now as a free download, Getting Even is classic White Lies with lyrics so looped they sound overly repetitive at points in the chorus. Played for the first time tonight, I’ll Be Your Man is the band’s storytelling at its best since From The Stars.

White Lies haven’t reinvented the wheel with Big TV. They continue to celebrate Harry McVeigh’s dry baritone vocals and deliver bass-heavy tunes with spiky riffs and dramatic uplifting choruses. From the frenetic reception they received at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen tonight, it seems that fans of White Lies welcome new material that champions the old, but the question is:  will this musical stasis attract a new army of fans? 

Katy Thomas
Photos: Monika Jørgesen

For further information and future events visit White Lies’ website here.

 

Watch the video for There Goes Our Love Again here: