Real Lies was born as a band around 2009. Legend has it that Kev Kharas and Tom Watson met “passing cans to each other in the queue of some shitty club” and later moved to a house by a reservoir in north London. The house was large, and therefore the ideal space for parties that went on for days, with Watson inviting a friend of his to DJ. That friend was Pat King. Eventually, Kharas, Watson and King formed Real Lies, whose early work was based on collections of samples collected by King and Kharas’ lyrics. Deeper and World Peace were their first released tracks, back in 2013, and in 2015 comes their first album, Real Life.

From those first works, Real Lies declare their principles without blushing: electronic and danceable pop, sometimes silky and sometimes denser, but really effective.

It has taken seven years to hear their second full-length album. Meanwhile, in October 2019, it was revealed that Watson had left the band, and in November 2019, Real Lies released their first single as a duo, You Were In Love.

Lad Ash is the title of this second album, which arrives before the end of April 2022, is released on double vinyl and CD (as well as digital) and contains twelve tracks. These seven years have made their mark, the final product is like a good wine that has been aged and improved over the years, and Watson’s departure has not had a negative impact on this new full-length album.

 

 

Tracks like Dream On or Late Arcades serve as a clear example of what Lad Ash is full of. Elegant electronic pop, highly danceable, with catchy rhythms, beautiful melodies and Kharas’ voice sending messages in different vocal exercises. King’s work as a sonic researcher means that the end result doesn’t fall into the vulgarity that others fall into when trying to create these kinds of tracks.

There is emotional density. There’s sonic luminosity, and even some very raver nods like Your Guiding Hand. A very complete album that is well worth listening to in January, because the duo from North London propose a beautiful journey that should not be missed.

Available here 

 

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