Artist: Liars
Album: Mess
Genre: Goth / Indie
Label: Mute

“Take my pants off.” These are the first words you hear as the sound of Liars‘ new album, Mess, throws you yet another giant curve ball. No, this isn’t blink-182 potty humor. This is the beginning of a new transition in the ever-changing Liars catalog. Needless to say, they have my attention.

As mentioned, Liars are habitually known for crafting an idea for an album, and then hinting at a new movement on the latter half of the album. Mess is no exception. This time, they have taken their experiments of dance-punk mixed with ’80s goth from the 2012 release of WIXIW when songs like “Flood to Flood” and “Brats” subtly hinted at it.

But this time, it’s overwhelming and in your face. But don’t let that fool you. It’s like if The Faint became the influential stepfather to Joy Division and The Butthole Surfers’ divorce-stricken child. And it works. Marinate in that for a minute.

The baritone voice of Angus Andrew finds the perfect balance between the cold synths and forceful beats. Songs like “I’m No Gold” really show the ebb and flow of Liars’ magnificently crafted loud and soft dissonances. “Vox Tuned D.E.D.” is also another perfect example, giving a real in-your-face vibe that hints at a level of comfort for the band. One might think that “Mess on a Mission,” the previously released single, that still remains as one of the highlights of the album, is the anthem for the band as they ironically go back and forth with “Facts are facts and fiction’s fiction,” and “A mess on a mission.”

Things don’t start to slow down until predictably the latter half of the album, on “Boyzone,” where they take to a more drone-induced haze but still allow the song to not die within, while lyrically asking, “Is there not a better place to die?” “Dress Walker” proves to be another huge standout track, with its stripped down, muted and haunting vocals quietly floating just above the sludgy-swamp of a beat that continues to crescendo until it reaches the point of goth-dance anthem material.

The album ends with what could be the hints of the next album. In the same mindset of “Boyzone,” the last two tracks which could be confused for one long closer. There’s no sign of moving away from the goth-electronic ideas that are incessant throughout this album. But a more focused hazy waltz instead of an all night EDM anthem.

The only thing that remains certain about this band, is that whether we want it or not, whatever Liars decides to do next, it will probably be completely out of left field after this album. And honestly, one can be hopeful, because this is one band that laughs at the challenge that change gives, and in the case of Mess, they dance all over it.

This album shouldn’t come as a surprise to any veteran fan of Liars, but instead a welcomed/expected jaunt into a world that they have teased for awhile. More focused, I don’t think so–just another couple of miles into this experimental journey that this band has taken.
Check out “Mess on a Mission” below, and listen to the complete stream on NPR. And don’t forget to pick up the album tomorrow, if you find yourself loving it as much as I did.

SCORE: 9/10

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Corey From

Corey From, from Kansas City, MO, when not thinking about or listening to music, obsessively thinks about Royals baseball, a platter of ribs (or BBQ in general) and cold beer. Nothing special really.

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