On The Art of The Lie, John Grant delivers his most cinematic and ambitious album yet, blending humor, tragedy, and political commentary under the lavish, dramatic production.
In the fall of 2022, John Grant began putting thoughts down for a new album. Earlier that year, he met Ivor Guest, the producer and composer behind Grace Jones’ Southbank show, the grand finale of her Meltdown Festival.
Fast forward a year and a half, and the result is Grant’s most lavish, cinematic album yet, The Art of The Lie. As the title implies, the lyrical brilliance beneath the lush musical layers is as dark as the production is bold and epic. Guest, along with a lineup of renowned musicians, has infused the album with drama and intrigue reminiscent of Laurie Anderson or the Art of Noise. Grant grounds it with deeply felt humanity and stark realism. Though undeniably a John Grant record, blending humor with tragedy and anger with compassion, The Art of The Lie exhibits a musical ambition and daring that enhances its most political and personal moments.
The juxtaposition of beauty and cruelty makes for a compelling listen on the album which connects childhood trauma to its adult consequences, reflecting the political turmoil in America in 2024, a nation on the brink of self-destruction. “We felt a sense of belonging for a moment,” Grant notes. “Not anymore.”
On the making of the album, Grant recalls, “We could only work for two weeks at a time, it was so intense. Ivor assembled incredible musicians. Dave Okumu [from the Invisible] is an amazing guitarist. He started playing as soon as he heard the demo of ‘Father,’ doing exactly what you hear on the record. Robin Mullarkey’s fretless bass was mind-blowing, and Sebastian Rochford was outstanding on drums. There were magical moments from everyone.”