About this item

Written in Los Angeles and self- recorded in the band's hometown of Auckland, 'Straight Line Was A Lie' (their first release for ANTI-) follows 2022's critically celebrated LP 'Expert in A Dying Field'. Lead singer and songwriter Liz Stokes delves deeper into her psyche to address everything from roundabout progress to physical and mental health challenges, and fraught family dynamics. Inspired by The Go-Go's, Olivia Rodrigo, flmmaker Akira Kurosawa, and Stephen King's On Writing, amongst others, Stokes' songwriting has achieved startling new depths of insight and vulnerability.

Fans will agree that 'Straight Line Was A Lie' is the most sharply observant, truthful, and poetic Beths project to date.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: While the high moments on The Beths' brilliant 'The Straight Line Was A Lie' are amongst the most profoundly beautiful and deeply melodic of their career, the album is a much more nuanced exploration of the human condition warts and all. There are pieces that swim with melodicism but drift into near-mournful placidity. It's a beautifully nuanced, gorgeously evocative indie-rock opus.

TRACK LISTING

1. Straight Line Was A Lie
2. Mosquitoes
3. No Joy
4. Metal
5. Mother Pray For Me
6. Til My Heart Stops
7. Take
8. Roundabout
9. Ark Of The Covenant
10. Best Laid Plans