White Lies: Biography, Albums, Essential Songs and Legacy

White Lies make big, dark, dramatic rock songs. The London trio arrived in 2009 with a No. 1 debut album full of songs about death, love and fear, and they have spent the years since refining a sound that sits between Joy Division’s shadows, Tears for Fears’ synths and stadium-sized choruses.

White Lies at a glance

Formed	2007, Ealing, London (previously as Fear of Flying)
Members	Harry McVeigh (vocals, guitar), Charles Cave (bass, main lyricist), Jack Lawrence-Brown (drums)
Genres	Post-punk revival, indie rock, synth-rock
Breakthrough	To Lose My Life… (2009)

Formation

McVeigh, Cave and Lawrence-Brown had played together as teenagers in a band called Fear of Flying. In 2007 they changed their name and direction, embracing a darker sound influenced by Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen and The Cure.

The albums

To Lose My Life… (2009)

Their debut went straight to No. 1 in the U.K. “Death,” “To Lose My Life” and “Farewell to the Fairground” made them one of the most talked-about new bands in Britain.

Ritual (2011)

Bigger and more synth-heavy, with “Bigger Than Us.”

Big TV (2013)

A loose concept album about a couple moving to a big city. “There Goes Our Love Again” and “Getting Even” are highlights.

Friends (2016)

Brighter and more pop-oriented, with “Take It Out on Me.”

Five (2019)

A confident return to big, cinematic songs, led by the seven-minute “Time to Give.”

As I Try Not to Fall Apart (2022)

Playful and funky in places, with the title track and “Am I Really Going to Die.”

Harry McVeigh and Charles Cave

McVeigh’s rich baritone carries the songs, while Cave writes most of the lyrics. Their partnership gives White Lies an unusual blend of grandeur and dark humor.

Legacy

White Lies helped carry the post-punk and new wave revival into the 2010s alongside Interpol, Editors and The Killers, and they remain a much-loved live band across Europe.

Ten songs to start with

1. Death
2. To Lose My Life
3. Farewell to the Fairground
4. Bigger Than Us
5. There Goes Our Love Again
6. Getting Even
7. Take It Out on Me
8. Time to Give
9. As I Try Not to Fall Apart
10. Unfinished Business

If you like White Lies, try

Interpol, Editors, The Killers, New Order, Echo & the Bunnymen and Depeche Mode.

Frequently asked questions

When did White Lies form?

In 2007 in London, after the members had played together as Fear of Flying.

What is White Lies’ biggest album?

To Lose My Life… (2009), which reached No. 1 in the U.K.

What are White Lies’ biggest songs?

“Death,” “To Lose My Life” and “Bigger Than Us.”

Are White Lies still active?

Yes. Their most recent studio album is As I Try Not to Fall Apart (2022).

About this article: Written and fact-checked by The Alternative One editorial team, the programmers and music writers behind the station’s on-air shows. Official artist website: www.whitelies.com. Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Read our editorial standards or tell us about a correction.