Austin-based rock band Culture Wars have released their latest single Lies, available now on all streaming platforms. The track continues a standout year for the band, which has included support slots on arena tours with Wallows, Keane and LANY, as well as radio success and millions of streams.
Lies draws on 1990s alt-rock influences and pairs a stripped-back emotional core with widescreen production. The track centres on the fallout of infidelity, blending direct, personal lyrics with a sound built for larger stages. Frontman Alex Dugan delivers a dynamic vocal performance, backed by the band’s increasingly expansive arrangements.
“After seeing New Order live for the first time, it was at that moment that I realized I had it all wrong. Everything I was trying to do musically at that time was wrong,” says vocalist Alex Dugan. “That concert inspired what would become the song Lies and shortly after, the band Culture Wars. Lies was the inceptual song of the band and after that, I knew the direction we were headed in. Finally seeing it materialize in the style of the album is a dream come true and a full circle moment. Written at the beginning after a long drawn out break up (before I met my wife), Lies is the story of trying to rebuild when you’ve lost all trust in intimacy. Trying to figure out how to build up not only your own confidence, but gain the ability to trust others as well. Written initially on synthesizers and now finished as a full band record, Lies has always been the big ending to every show. David used to joke that he can’t wait until we can end a show with something other than Lies, but now with the final version, it simply feels weird ending a show any other way.”
The song follows the success of Typical Ways, which has surpassed 5 million streams, and It Hurts, which reached the Top 20 on US alternative radio. The new material builds on Culture Wars’ earlier momentum while signalling a clear step forward in scale and sound.
The band’s next album is due in 2026. While full details are still under wraps, the record is described as emotionally direct and instrumentally driven, with a focus on strong songwriting and a live-ready sound. The music nods to bands like Coldplay and Kings of Leon, while leaning into its own modern identity.
Culture Wars first broke through with their 2021 debut EP teche, which earned over 11 million streams and led to their track Leave Me Alone appearing on the GRAMMY-nominated Bill & Ted Face the Music soundtrack. Other highlights from that release included Faith and Lose Money, which helped establish the band’s early audience. They also built momentum online, with TikTok engagement supporting organic growth across platforms.
As they look ahead to a full-length release, Culture Wars continue to evolve their sound — blending indie rock textures with pop structure and emotional weight. Their recent live shows and consistent streaming growth have positioned them as one of the most promising new acts on the US alt scene.
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