Arliston’s debut album, “Disappointment Machine” is a deeply emotional journey that captures the essence of heartbreak, longing, and reflection. The London-based duo, Jack Ratcliffe and George Hasbury, have crafted a cinematic experience with 12 songs that blend haunting instrumentals and thoughtful lyrics.
From start to finish, the album is a masterclass in atmosphere. The production is both intricate and raw, creating a space where every note and lyric carries weight. Songs like Scratches tell vivid stories, painting pictures of lost love and unanswered questions. The use of minimalist pianos and ethereal synths allows the emotion to shine through, making the listening experience feel personal and immersive.
The band’s ability to translate real emotions into music is impressive. With influences from The National and Bon Iver, this album feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. We think this album deserves more attention. The passion and artistry behind it are undeniable. “Disappointment Machine” isn’t just an album, it’s an experience, and one that lingers long after the final note fades.
ABOUT THE BAND:
Arliston are poised to become the UK’s unofficial ambassadors of gloom – self-described “sad song specialists”. Their music is concerned with that particularly fraught time of life – the late twenties and early thirties – and all of the confusion that accompanies it. Yet the music itself is far from chaotic. Instead, it is steeped in an inky black pool of sparse but sprawling Americana; minimalist pianos are paired with gloopy synths and singer Jack Ratcliffe’s striking, morose baritone. The songwriting, too, is stark but striking. We hear the faint buzzing of static, monologues, snatches of half-conversations. They are the sounds of someone stumbling and tripping their way through life, offering the listener an opportunity for a kind of melancholy catharsis. – Roisin O’Connor
