Liars – WIXIW (Mute)
This LA-based trio is characterised by dramatic stylistic shifts between albums and relocating for inspiration. On their latest album, they’ve changed things up once again, this time taking a more collaborative approach than in the past, and an almost entirely computer-based one at that. While the process of making the album was apparently one of the greatest challenges the band has faced, this struggle doesn’t manifest itself in the music in the way you might expect: rather than confrontationally aggressive or experimental as with much of their previous work, here Liars sound full of uncertainty, almost vulnerable. It’s a change that suits them.WIXIW is remarkably subtle, a dark mystery that reveals itself to be ever vaster and more labyrinthine with each successive listen.