Dabbling in genres from noise rock to dance punk
over the course of their six album career, Liars have managed to somehow subvert 21st century musical elitism through a sheer commitment to manic expression. This
form of constant reinvention may seem gimmicky or contrived at first glance-
and, truthfully, Liars has spent the majority of their career tapdancing on the
edge of novelty. But more often than not,
the band has imbued these eclectic moments with authentic sensibilities lending
their diverse catalogue a sincere, organic feel. Even at it’s most avant-garde, the
experimentation rarely seems aimless.
When Liars feels like they have something to say, the diversity
facilitates the expression- some would even call this “evolving”.
WIXIW is everything you would expect from an electro-rock
Liars album. Intimate, confounding,
hollow, seductive- upon first listen, WIXIW is unapologetically frustrating. No one has ever accused the trio of meeting
their listeners halfway. And with the
exception of the powerful “No. 1 Against the Rush” and dancefloor ready
“Brats”, Liars is continuing that trend here.
Just take a listen to the album’s namesake, “WIXIW”, a dizzying foray
into synthetic chaos, as well as the equally unnerving “Octagon”. The beats and rhythm avoid catchiness in
favor of hypnotic complexity and discordant sounds, while Angus Andrews’ mystifying
vocals often disregard traditional structure altogether. However, perplexing sonic exercises aside, it
can’t be denied how rich of an experience WIXIX ultimately is for those patient
enough to remain with it. This is indeed
not Liars operating at their most accessible, but WIXIW undoubtedly stands as
both the band’s most rewarding and cerebral work. Navigating the sonic textures of WIXIW is
never easy, but once you learn the path- it’s a journey that deserves
repeating. And that may be Liars’
greatest asset as artists- spinning initial confusion into quality.
- Fr. Jones
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