Arliston – 451 (2023)
From their debut EP Hawser in 2019 to 2022’s Even In The Shade, we have kept our eyes and ears on indie-pop duo Arliston. Formed about five years ago, the London-based pair is turning heads across the board described as “beguiling experimental pop” (CLASH), “indie gems” (Earmilk) and “a must for music lovers” (Backstreet Mafia) – and these are only a few examples of what critics have to say about Arliston. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘451’.
Following the critically acclaimed track ‘Pisco Sours’, Arliston moves from their experimental indie-pop to something softer and more soothing with a groovy, laidback vibe. Joining Jack Ratcliffe and George Hasbury in this mellifluous melody is talented drummers Sam Catchpole and Sylvan Strauss, as well as horn players Sam Scott and Dan Berry. Harmonically melding drums with dynamic guitarwork, soft piano and intimate horns, ‘451’ is an evolution in Arliston’s sound. Potentially, a complete change in direction for the pair but, honestly, I think the lads just wanted to flex their muscles a bit showcasing versatility as artists. Traipsing different genres, ‘451’ retains an indie-pop tone but dashes of jazz come through with a quirky funk slithering in the bottom.
Along with ‘How In Heaven’ and ‘Pisco Sours’, ‘451’ is the third track from Arliston’s upcoming EP (set for release in July 2023). Given the genre diversity of these three singles, Hasbury and Ratcliffe prove their innovation and they are not to be pigeon-holed. It begs the question, is there a particular “Arliston sound” or are the lads musical wizards painting a sonic portrait with a kaleidoscopic palette.
Interestingly, while the theme behind ‘451’ is surviving in a dystopian society, the cinematic single is far from anything distorted, haunting or twisted. In fact, the surreal interludes and erratic soundscapes are intoxicating and enchanting. Perhaps it is the sophistication of the arrangement that gives us a hand to hold onto while flailing in an ominous existence. Ratcliffe explains that “I was reading Fahrenheit 451 when we wrote this song and was completely hooked…I think Ray Bradbury is an absolute genius and found the idea of the Montag character being besieged by thoughts that “maybe I’m a little lost” despite having all the trappings of modern life so eerily resonant for the Instagram/TikTok age…”
In addition to the single, Arliston released an official music video for ‘451’ that can be viewed via their official YouTube channel. Please note there are lighting effects and imagery transitions that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy.
For more from Arliston, check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
