The Art of Lying cover

Released 5 years ago this November

The Art of Lying

Ist Ist · 2021

38 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A gritty blend of post-punk rhythms and new wave melodies that captures the tension of contemporary anxieties.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Listening Through the Walls — This track sets the tone for the album with its infectious melody and introspective lyrics that explore themes of isolation and observation.
  • →
    Fat Cats Drown in Milk — With sharp social commentary, this song critiques greed and excess, illustrating the band's lyrical depth alongside their compelling sound.
  • →
    Don't Go Gentle — Closing the album, this track combines haunting melodies with powerful lyrics about resilience, leaving listeners with a lasting emotional impact.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks a fully cohesive flow across its runtime.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album maintains a driving tempo with rhythmic consistency, while the second half introduces more varied dynamics and slower tracks.
  • Several tracks feature layered guitar textures that create a dense soundscape, particularly in 'Extreme Greed' and 'Heads on Spikes'.
  • The lyrics often reflect contemporary anxieties, using metaphorical language that invites listeners to engage with the themes on multiple levels.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Listening Through the Walls 3:26
  • 2 Fat Cats Drown in Milk 3:19
  • 3 Middle Distance 3:43
  • 4 Watching You Watching Me 2:56
  • 5 The Waves 5:11
  • 6 Extreme Greed 4:14
  • 7 It Stops Where It Starts 3:08
  • 8 If It Tastes Like Wine 3:39
  • 9 Heads on Spikes 3:55
  • 10 Don't Go Gentle 4:47

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata