"As I Try Not To Fall Apart" is the 6th album by UK indie alternative act White Lies. I have been into this band right from when their debut album "To Lose My life" dropped in 2009. I have always compared them to the likes of Interpol and Editors. But I feel although those bands may have peaked slightly higher. In terms of consistency of output White Lies have outdone them both. Another thing which sets them apart from these bands is their use of keyboards as well as guitars. Put that on top of Harry McVeigh's unique vocals it does put them in a place in today's music scene which differentiates them.
The band released 4 singles prior to album release and while they are all brilliant. I really feel they have delivered quite thought provoking and timely titles in the world we live in at the moment. Let's look at them. First the title track "As I Try Not To Fall Apart". Now to me this song was born out of lockdowns during the pandemic and possibly an insight into the band's mental state either during the pandemic and/or recording this album. I think everyone can relate to the struggles at some point. But the lyrics are met with such a warm, uplifting melody it's like they have overcome these struggles and lifting themselves out of a hole.
Next track "Am I really going to die" is another quite impactful title again delivered with a warm melody. Undoubtably something everyone thinks about at some point too. For me though their best thoughts brought through by lyrics are on "I don't want to go to Mars". Straight off the bat you know exactly what the song is about and it's pretty opinionated which is what I like about it. Many bands express their views on politics and love etc through lyrics. But you don't often get opinions about random topics like going to mars that often. So, it is quite refreshing. The chorus although serious is quite funny. "I don't want to go to Mars, what kind of brainwashed idiot does?" Don't hold back there Harry. lol. And it's like that the whole song. On Twitter every time they mention the song, they tag Elon Musk too who wants to send people to Mars which is the bands way of telling him it's a waste of time and money.
Plenty of other stuff going on in this album too. The highlight for me is "Roll December" which comes in around 7 minutes. They did do a track on their last album called "Time to give" which was around 7 minutes too, but I think that's the only time they have done this. "Roll December" is a great track. While being long I wouldn't call it an epic or prog rock track. It feels like they have taken a 5-minute track, then went, right, let's plug in the electric guitar and have a jam. And because they don't do that often it feels special, and they pull it off magnificently.
Now, I normally get annoyed with bands who have penultimate tracks which sound like they are meant to close an album. So, when I saw a track called "The End" being the second last track that did annoy me. Then, however I went to Tim's Twitter listening party where they did a playback of the album and tweeted during it. It turns out they did this just for a laugh. And suddenly, I saw the funny side too! Absolute genius. "There is no cure for it" is the track that finishes off the album. This is a great, edgier track which finishes the album well. At the end it does finish very abruptly which leaves you thinking "That's that then!".
And overall, what a ride this album is. It has grown on me each time I listen to it and keeps up that great consistency they have of delivering great albums time after time. I haven't even mentioned the likes of "Blue drift", "Breathe", "Ragworm" and "Step outside". But this is a complete album with no bad tracks. One which you should be checking out.
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