White Lies - 'To Lose My Life' (Fiction) Released: 19/01/09

On YouTube, the video for White Lies' latest single, 'To Lose My Life', has created a mild frenzy among its watchers. The debate ranges wildly from the band's likely influences – "a bit of the Bravery", according to one user, ironically called SweetSweetInterpol - to the bowl of tomato soup eaten by drummer Jack Brown. "Great tune. Great band. Great live. That tomato soup is looking a bit watery though, isn't it?" asks Garner2092, to which Napier 99 replies: "I thought that - LOL."

It says a lot about White Lies that the viscosity of a bowl of soup can generate such intrigue. Despite being on the radar for almost a year, the West London band, who formed from the ashes of a middle-of-the-road teenage indie group that dressed a bit like PJ and Duncan, have steered away from divulging too much information about themselves. Instead, they've relied on a series of high profile TV performances – including a show-stealing appearance on Jools Holland's Later… last autumn – and festival slots to do the promoting for them. Everything, from their all-black stage attire to the refreshing lack of promotional paraphernalia that accompanied early singles was kept to a minimum to emphasise the music.

This approach has instilled an almost overwhelming expectation on their debut album. After all, there have been few musicians – particularly in this decade - who have achieved success by just allowing their music to do the talking. Yet, it's not long into 'To Lose My Life' – the opening track, in fact - before it becomes clear that White Lies could well be one of them.

'Death', originally the b-side to debut single 'Unfinished Business', serves not only as the album's ignition, but also as a roadmap for White Lies' full-throttle sound, which fuses brooding basslines, empowering 80s-inspired synths and thunderous drumbeats. Add to those ingredients the reverend vocals of Harry McVeigh, which are delivered as if they're being sung from purgatory, and it's easy to see why the band have been tipped for arenas. Mid-sized venues will certainly do well to devour songs as voracious as 'Farewell To The Fairground' or the tender one-line chorus – "Let's grow old together and die at the same time" – that McVeigh so doggedly chants on the album's title track.