LIE by JULIA KLOT is a beautiful mix of pop and funk that sways back and forth between the two genres as it continues. The track revolves around the theme of being approached by a guy at a bar who just can’t take the hint that you’re not interested. The theme is handled with an off-handed, rye wit that empowers the vocalist and the person being approached in this situation. KLOT mentioned that she wanted the track to be a reminder that bars are places to have fun with friends, not for tone-deaf awkward flirting – that’s what clubs are for. I may have added that last part but the general concept of revitalising the bar scene with connection and friendship was KLOT’s intention with LIE.

The vocals have a venom that lies behind every lighthearted line. There is a sense of sting in their delivery. The lyrics feel very emotionally connected to the delivery. KLOT does an excellent job tying those aspects together. The funk elements surprised me. There are plenty of moments where the brass section bolsters the lyrics, adding energy and enthusiasm to the delivery. They also expand the sonic tapestry of the track providing a sense of diversity to the timbre. The drums also stood out as a defining part of LIE’s sound. They evolve with the track, changing the rhythm drastically throughout. I specifically liked the steezy hiss and subtle evolution as the song changes its pace to fit within the funk breakdown toward the middle of the track. The mixture of the brass and the fresh, percussive transition of the drumming provided a new energy that felt like an exciting tonal evolution without being jarring to the song as a whole. The vocal has a pop tone that reflects beautifully with the funk aspects of the instrumental. They add to each other through the contrast of timbre and style. It’s a peaches and cream combo that I don’t hear executed too often. LIE stands out because it combines distinct influences and boasts fantastic storytelling ability, redefining bars and going out culture as a fun and lighthearted experience.