Arliston
Hold My Wine
Arliston is a alt-pop group from Brixton that has been releasing tracks since 2018. Their 2021 release “Mountaineer” brought them considerable attention and over a million streams on Spotify. Diving through their releases you find a host of sensuous and brooding tracks with lush keyboards and vocals, and exceptional storytelling. But, don’t pass them off a synth-pop outfit - they are multi-instrumentalists who be all accounts, are taking the time to get their tracks right. Here’s our review of “Hold My Wine.”
It’s an up-tempo track that starts with a subtle slide in of separate guitar riffs and harmonized vocals right off the bat. The opening line about learning to walk makes you quickly realize that this is no ordinary band - the descriptions and metaphors are steep. Is it a dream sequence? A drug trip? A real experience? We don’t care, we just dig the feel. The sound is an exceptional mix of processed drums, rolling guitar riffs, keyboard effects and their trademark intimate vocals. The way they break down the pre-chorus is lovely - it’s a nice break from the rest of the track. Love the old school synth tones that set the stage of the chorus, as well as it’s odd meter feel. Another highlight is the strong falsetto from the vocalist, and the bass riff that caps off the section. We love to describe song writing as a house, where each section is a different room, and they perfectly do that here. In the midst of such a wonderfully mixed and produced track, each section stands alone nicely.
Structurally it feels like a standard verse / pre / chorus / repeat set up - but it’s such a sonic journey that you have to go back and double check that that’s truly what it is. The outro throws you for an unexpected loop because at first you get the feeling that it’s a solo section, and not the end. Regardless, we don’t mind - it’s a unique way to end the track and doesn’t take away from anything else, almost as if they want you to use that section to go back over the lyrics in your head and remember what you’ve just experienced.
There are so many exceptional layers to the track it’s hard to adequately express how well it’s done. It’s thick, but not too much. Lush, but not over bearing. This is more of the more unique songs we’ve heard in quite some time, and we really love the vocals. No wonder they have gained such a strong following on Spotify.
Make sure you scroll down, catch their socials and listen to their other tracks. In a world a noise, “Mountaineer” is breathe of fresh air. The piano sound of “Language of Strangers” is an absolute gem, the lead vocal is exceptional and storytelling is beautiful. They’ve definitely got a unique sound and we look forward to what they’ll be doing next!