Here at the Send Me Your Ears studio today, we’ve been listening to the latest single from London UK artist, Arliston. How In Heaven is released today, 10th March 2023. How In Heaven is the lead single from their forthcoming EP set for release in the early summer of 2023.
Lyrically, the song is based around the theme of ruminating after a breakup, when you’re starting to see the full picture. It ponders all the silly reasons for the break up (“Cos the songs that I like, they left you dry on the vine” is a clever line, implying that even something as simple as music tastes can lead a couple to break up).
How In Heaven starts with distant synth sounds, meaning that when the vocals come in, they are more impactful and close. This gives a very intimate feel to the lyrics, as if the vocalist is just sitting with you and mulling over events.
A gentle trip-hop style beat weaves its way through the song, cleverly rising and falling the track and adding plenty of dynamics to the soundscape. The stereo sounds and panned instrumentation lend the song to a slightly 80s feeling track.
We like how the chorus gains momentum with some additional instrumentation and low end, giving good separation and signalling to the listener to pay extra attention at this point.
The stinger ending is a nice touch, making for a lo-fi trip-hop/ indie pop track that we think would work well placed in the background of a TV show or movie. We’d urge Arliston to seek out opportunities for this track to garner them new fans.
Arliston are South London’s, Jack Ratcliffe (vocalist & instrumentalist) and George Hasbury (instrumentalist & producer). For their forthcoming fourth EP, they have teamed up with drummers Sylvan Strauss and Sam Catchpole, along with Horn players Sam Scott and Dan Berry.
Ideas from our ears
A cut around 170-175Hz would control some ‘muddy’ peaks, particularly in the vocal track. A careful surgical cut at 215Hz would bring down a resonant peak in the snare sound too. A light compressor/limiter would give the track a final touch of extra warmth and volume. As always, these are just some ideas from our ears.
Final thoughts
Fans of The National and Bon Iver will delight in this harmony-laden lo-fi Dream-pop track from Arliston. Keep your ears out for their forthcoming EP, due for release in the summer.
https://www.instagram.com/officialarliston/
https://www.facebook.com/officialarliston/
https://twitter.com/arlistonband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1zdjZcUSe5thcIAIU5NRYh?si=UTqUp5LFS9etQmhCv_DrhA
https://soundcloud.com/arlistonmusic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTqIelyfvc-NdnqErYReyQ?view_as=subscriber