Liars releasing WIXIW, playing Webster Hall June 20

by John Dabrowski

Not many bands would start an album with a track entitled “The Exact Colour of Doubt.” Doubt is something both listeners and critics possess when approaching the latest album from an established band. Liars, however, transcends this possible doubt by creating their own warped, dark dreamscape to lose oneself in. Pronounced “wish you,” WIXIW is Liars in their purest form - mystical, shrouded and languid. Angus Andrews’ voice acts as shade on WIXIW, covering and blanketing the electronic landscape extracted by bandmates Hemphill and Gross.

On WIXIW, each song has its own pulse, is its own body, knowing what makes it tick, desire and lust. The haze and suspense Andrews, Hemphill and Gross illuminates ultimately teases and taunts listeners into diving through their own demented dreamworld where the boundaries of reality are blurred and crossed. Standout tracks include “His and Mine Sensations,” a sinister layering of voices and sounds that delights and terrifies, and “No. 1 Against the Rush,” a number that crawls slowly towards you and bites down hard. Created by Todd Cole, the video for “No. 1 Against the Rush” syncs with the song’s urgency and restlessness. Check it out below...



Liars’ WIXIW will be digitally and physically released on June 5th through Mute Records, though you can stream the album in its entirety right now over at NRP. You can also preorder the album over here. To support their sixth album, Liars are touring this summer, most notably at Webster Hall June 20th. The opening act for their Webster gig is Oneohtrix Point Never. Tickets are still available.

Overall, Liars’ sixth effort reflects their evolution in sound and their commitment to experimenting with electronic music. It's complex yet accessible, making listeners pour themselves into its delicate folds. I would highly recommend investing in this work. Don’t ever doubt Liars.

Liars 2012 Tour Dates
Wednesday 6/20 – Webster Hall – New York City, NY*
Friday 6/22 – The Music Box – Los Angeles, CA
Thursday 7/5 - The Filmore – San Francisco, CA
Saturday 7/7 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
Sunday 7/8 – Neumos – Seattle, WA
Monday 7/9 – The Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
Wednesday 7/11 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
Friday 7/13 – The Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
Saturday 7/14 – The Granada – Lawrence, KS
Sunday 7/15 – The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
Tuesday 7/17 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
Wednesday 7/18 – Mad Planet – Milwaukee, WI
Thursday 7/19 – Metro – Chicago, IL
Friday 7/20 – Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
Saturday 7/21 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
Monday 7/23 - La Sala Rossa – Montreal, QC
Tuesday 7/24 - Paradise – Boston, MA
Wednesday 7/25 - U Street Music Hall – Washington DC
Thursday 7/26 - Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
Friday 7/27 – Grog Shop – Cleveland Heights, OH
Saturday 7/28 – A&R Music Bar – Columbus, OH

*With Oneohtrix Point Never