Straight Line Was a Lie is the fourth studio album by the New Zealand indie rock band the Beths. The album was released on 29 August 2025 through Anti- and received positive reviews.

Tracklist:

Mosquitoes
No Joy
Metal
Mother Pray For Me
Til My Heart Stops
Take
Roundabout
Ark Of The Covenant
Best Laid Plans

Straight Line Was A Lieisthe first new music theNew Zealandindie rockers have released since their 2022 album,Expert In A Dying Field,and their first releaseontheir new label ANTI-.

Following the success ofExpert In A Dying Field, The Bethscollected the covetedTe Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the YearandTe Tino Khui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Groupatthe 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards.

Thenew album was written in Los Angeles andrecordedinThe Beths’ studioin Aucklanda space where the band can create their signature sound.

WhenwritingStraight Line Was A Lie,Elizabeth StokesandJonathan Pearcebroke downtheirtypical writing process.Stokes intentional deconstruction and rebuilding of her songwriting process has resulted in a complete renewal. Her writing has achieved startling new depths of insight and vulnerability, makingStraight Line Was A LieThe Bethsmost sharply observant, poetic and truthful release to date.

Tracklist:
1) Straight Line Was A Lie
2) Mosquitoes
3) No Joy
4) Metal
5) Mother, Pray For Me
6) Til My Heart Stops
7) Take
8) Roundabout
9) Ark Of The Covenant
10) Best Laid Plans