White Lies - Bigger Than Us

White Lies in many ways seemed to spring from the last dying moments of the ‘indie’ explosion of 2004-2009, one of the last in a generation of enthusiastic, young rockers, each looking to make their own, unique mark on the British music scene. So returning now, into a scene that has shifted rapidly toward primarily urban and dance music, the odds are perhaps turned against them. We’ve already seen previously greatly promising artists like The Klaxons releasing dissapointing 2^nd albums. So can White Lies continue to impress? Their first album had some absolute gems on it, especially the epic To Lose My Life, and with new single Bigger Than Us, the band look like they’re sticking to the sounds they’re used to.

So often bands will attempt to re-invent themselves with new singles and albums, but Bigger Than Us plays to White Lies’ strengths; well produced, modern rock centred around catchy hooks and atmospheric soundscapes. Lighter and more energetic than the likes of Editors and Interpol, White Lies represent a band still eager to prove themselves and this new single represents the perfect message to say: We’re back, and we’re just as good as we were the first time round. A strong taster for the new album.

Kilto Take

Kilto Take are one of those new artists that have you hooked from the off, the skill and musicianship of this three-piece evident right away as you dive into the dark, glossy immaculateness of their music. Tracks like the brilliant Retrogress see them at their best; high-tempo, frenetic guitars, a brilliant chorus and an atmospheric production gloss that immediately impresses.

Imagine a perfect blend of early 80s post-punk with the modern innovation of its successors like White Lies and Interpol. It’s intelligent music for an audience bored of the endless cheap Libertines clones of a few years ago. And Kilto Take’s killer edge? They deliver every time. Ava is another brilliant slice of the band’s sound, razor sharp guitar solos painting pictures of grim, urban landscapes on a cinematic scale.

Lead singer Jon Crosby’s vocals ring clear and true above the immaculate guitar lines. Bringing to mind touches of Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley and Muse’s Matt Bellamy, they capture that same awe-inspiring theatrical edge, adding an epic quality to the band’s tracks. There’s a luxurious power to these songs that simply isn’t present in so many up and coming rock bands. Kilto Take are a band for who wear their ambition clearly on their sleeve, and the music is all the stronger for it.

Check out the band's music on their MySpace page here.

You can download their debut EP on iTunes here.