When White Lies broke into the mainstream with 2009’s debut album ‘To Lose My Life…’ (Clash review), they exhibited a distinct and mature songwriting ability, and the talent to eloquently capture a dramatic mood that courses through frontman Harry McVeigh’s lyrics.
‘Big TV’, the Londoners’ third studio album, produces comparable results. The opening title track is the most immediately accessible offering, whilst the Echo and The Bunnymen-like ‘Tricky To Love’ has staying power.
But despite said retro parallel, White Lies do sound like a band firmly in the present, utilising electronic samples with classic valve-driven guitar chords to accompany the trademark baritone of McVeigh.
7/10
Words: Cai Trefor
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Read Clash's Foundations feature with White Lies, revealing five of bassist Charles Cave's most influential albums, here
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