The keen reader might remember American rock outfit The Sunmills from a feature we published last year, praising ‘Rock and Roll’ as “an uplifting and playful gem showcasing all the 90s flair they have to offer.” If that specific single leaned into the group’s most gritty, guitar-coded personality, ‘They Tell Lies’ unveils The Sunmills’ eclectic side, delving here into a rich pop-like arrangement featuring a great deal of electronic elements and kinetic grooves.
Marking The Sunmills’ latest effort, ‘They Tell Lies’ is a timely release, one that perfectly fits our troubled reality. Its lyrics are certainly quite dark, yet the subject matter is given a lighter outward livery, especially thanks to such a bright arrangement. All of this helps convey the song’s urgent message, without making it feel too gloomy or doomed.
Born from a moment of clarity following a political exchange with his own brother, Sunmills’ frontman Jim Brown had to reckon with the complex and divisive reality of our times. That’s what ‘They Tell Lies’ refers to, seeking to highlight how information and facts can be manipulated to serve a certain narrative. As he explains: “Eventually, I realised we aren’t just disagreeing, we’re being shown entirely different versions of reality. Different media ecosystems report different sets of facts to stoke outrage, and outrage drives record profits. That realisation stuck with me. This song came out of the feeling that we’re living in a post-truth world.”
Recommended! Discover ‘They Tell Lies’ now: