Katie Pruitt - 'White Lies, White Jesus And You'
Katie Pruitt’s ‘White Lies, White Jesus and You’ is an anthem on things she’s left behind, while looking ahead to her sophomore album.
Atlanta-born Katie cut through with ‘Expectations’, her beautiful 2020 record exploring life, love and religion. The singer-songwriter, now based in Nashville, won widespread plaudits, heralded by Rolling Stone, NPR Music and CBS.
Following November’s ‘Blood Related’ comes news of full-length ‘Mantras’, coming in April on Rounder Records. Pruitt has played ‘White Lies…’ live since the summer of 2022, and the studio version is a shining single that will appease fans four years on from ‘Expectations’.
It’s another powerful and personal track from KP, shedding her shame attached to organised religion. This is a one-person protest against those who use the Bible for gate-keeping purposes, but the core ideal of living your own truth is applicable across any of life’s trials.
It starts humbly, showcasing Katie’s strong songwriting on complex interpersonal matters, without completely shunning spirituality. “If you say that Jesus gives you peace of mind/ that’s a good enough reason for me”.
But when the track breaks out, it soars like a full Fleetwood Mac-style epic, aided by dynamic guitars and a memorable title line. A keystone throughout, it’s repeated in the song’s climax: “Speaking of some things I’ve put behind me/ white lies, white Jesus and you”.
Pruitt hopes it reminds those hurt by religion “that spirituality is yours to define for yourself and no institution can take that away from you.”
Like the lion’s share of ‘Mantras’, this song was produced by Jake Finch and Collin Pastore, who have also worked with boygenius and Lucy Dacus’s solo endeavours, and recorded at Finch’s The Shed home studio in Tennessee.
The music video shows Katie stepping onto pews in a school-based church while performing, combining every element of KP to date, about confidently pursuing your own path.
Words by Sam Draper
