Friends
by White Lies
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. Q Magazine
    Oct 19, 2016
    80
    It's a real showcase for their strengths. [Dec 2016, p.115]
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  2. AllMusic
    Nov 18, 2016
    70
    Ultimately, Friends is a focused, clear-eyed album that finds White Lies trading some of the sprawling ambition of Big TV for the infectious pop urgency of their debut.
  3. Clash Music
    Oct 28, 2016
    70
    For the most of Friends, though, this is White Lies doing what they do best. There are huge choruses, soaring, ethereal melodies and that distinctively glistening ‘80s production. However, you suspect their formula may need to be tweaked substantially if the band are to avoid self-parody or burning out in the future.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Oct 6, 2016
    60
    Unfortunately, overall the record is unable to match the consistency of its predecessor. That the trio started work on Friends without a label is certainly telling, as the overriding impression is one of a band in transition.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Oct 6, 2016
    50
    Friends so incessantly refers to its generic seasons-change premise that its emotional impact is wholly blunted by the album’s end.
  7. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 6, 2016
    45
    Friends is White Lies’ least inspiring record both musically and thematically; they appear to be back in identity crisis mode, and it might not be recoverable this time around.
  8. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 6, 2016
    40
    Unfortunately, instead of producing an album that feels new, exciting, and refreshing--exactly what you’d expect from a band in their position--you get some lazy attempts at something different, before a retreat into the comforts of a tried and tested sound.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
  1. Akuakuiok
    Oct 7, 2016
    10
    As a long time fan, I can say this is something i will hear for the rest of my life.
    Maybe it won't appeal to every audience, but it    As a long time fan, I can say this is something i will hear for the rest of my life.
    Maybe it won't appeal to every audience, but it certaintly for fans that know where White Lies has it success,    … Full Review »
  2. EdgarRubio
    Oct 11, 2016
    6
    I've been a big fan of the band since the amazing "To Lose My Life" and I have enjoyed their evolution, each one of their albums has improvedI've been a big fan of the band since the amazing "To Lose My Life" and I have enjoyed their evolution, each one of their albums has improved their sound and overall production, especially "Big Tv".

    I was expecting this album to be another step forward, unfortunately it isn't.

    It starts great, combining their previous greatest assets in a more clean production. I think it reaches it's peak at "Hold Back Your Love", such a great song.
    Right after that they start making that huge mistake they've done a few times before: the songs last longer than they should!
    "Don't Want To Feel It All" and "Swing" would have been good (not great though) if they were 2 minutes shorter. By the time I reached the beautiful "Come On" I was truly exhausted by the previous 15 minutes of boringness.

    I've read that they started to make this album prior to finding a new record label and it shows. The freedom of doing whatever they wanted is not reflected on this album, and that's so sad and disappointing.

    I give it a 6/10 just because of the awesomeness of those 4 songs they've released so far. And the hope those songs provide, because I know White Lies will do something way better next time.    … Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Aug 11, 2019
    7
    I've read somewhere before that White Lies are a band who rarely dazzle but always satisfy. I find this to be very true. Their albums areI've read somewhere before that White Lies are a band who rarely dazzle but always satisfy. I find this to be very true. Their albums are solid and satisfying, enjoyable and reasonably easy to listen to if not necessarily standouts. "Friends" is similar. A very solid synth rock album with some notable highlights but probably even more 80's tinged than usual by their standards. White Lies went off my radar after their first album but they played a gig in my home town this year touring their latest album ("Five"). I decided to go and in advance said I'd check out what they'd been up to since "To Lose My Life". 4 albums had come since and I was happy to find they ended up being a pretty decent outfit as their career progressed. True to themselves (and the 80's) but also well capable. They are a well put together band with several very likable ingredients. Personally, I don't think "Friends" matches "Big TV" but it is still well worth a listen.… Full Review »
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