Arliston’s ‘Vertical’ is a towering monument to melancholy. The latest taste from their forthcoming album, Disappointment Machine, sees the band delving deeper into the abyss of existential dread. Yet, it’s a place they inhabit with a surprising grace and a knack for crafting anthemic indie rock.
The track is a slow-burn masterpiece, building from intimate piano and vocals to a full-on assault on the senses. Jack Ratcliffe’s voice, a soulful baritone capable of both fragility and ferocity, is the emotional core of the song. The band’s knack for creating vast, cinematic soundscapes is on full display, as they effortlessly transition from hushed introspection to soaring choruses.
‘Vertical’ is a song about feeling overwhelmed, about staring at an insurmountable wall. But it’s also about finding a way to climb it. The band’s self-described “hardcore misery” is tempered by a flicker of hope, a recognition that even in the darkest of times, there’s a way forward. It’s a message that resonates deeply, especially in these uncertain times.
As band-member Jack Ratcliffe explains: “I had in mind a character simply looking for something- keys or a wallet- in a crumpled pair of jeans on the floor. I have a habit of forgetting where things are and I wanted a song that could reflect that hazy absent mindedness. I also wanted to get across a sense of “if I can’t do even these basic things, how am I meant to ‘carry on’ and do more complex things”. This is where the title ‘Vertical’ comes from, as when I’m in that empty-minded state everything seems daunting, impossible and vertical.”
With influences ranging from The National to Bon Iver, Arliston are crafting a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly original. ‘Vertical’ is a powerful statement of intent, a promise of more to come from one of the most exciting bands on the indie scene. Let Arliston’s music be the soundtrack to your existential crisis.
You can also find ‘Vertical’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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