By: Staff
Get ready for an emotional journey with Arliston’s latest single, “What Did I Think Would Happen”.
We had a chance to check out Arliston's “What Did I Think Would Happen,” and the opening styling of the VCR sound really gives you a moment to settle in for the start of this song. As the piano keys and distortion introduce the vocals, we're treated to a beautiful display and performance by this artist. The cadence and vocal intonation are extremely unique, creating a sort of harrowing whisper-in-your-ear sensation that we really loved. This is the absolute shining content within this terrific track. The thunderous yet intermittent beats have a tremendous impact, following the rises and falls of the vocal presentation.
When the guitars enter, it's absolute magic. They’re given a moment to be heard before falling into the mix with the rising, powerful energy of the chorus-style vocals. The sensation “What Did I Think Would Happen” evokes will actually increase your adrenaline as you succumb to its hypnotic qualities. We loved the mixing techniques of the horns, presenting themselves intermittently in the background as the vocals swirled high and low in our over-the-ear headphones. The most powerful and notable moment of the song occurs towards the end when the title is belted out in a momentous and dramatic fashion.
As quickly as this song builds up high, it drops down low with gentle piano fading, and the vocals trail off, leaving you in awe of this beautiful and stunning performance. When it ends, you're absolutely thirsty for more, reaching for the replay button.
We had a chance to check out the accompanying video on YouTube, and it was absolutely terrific. The claymation style, which hasn't been seen by us in a very long time, matched perfectly with the nostalgic vibe of the VCR sound that opens the song. As we watch the protagonists, we realize the intention is to evoke our own emotions through the faceless, emotionless characters. The story shows them together, drinking, and then later with only one left after unrequited love leads to their separation. The contrast between the "before and after" clips, broken up to keep the story engaging, adds to the impact of the message. If you're looking for something to stir up emotions, this video will do it. The ending, with just one glass and one protagonist left, feels so sad and empty, but is brilliant.
More about this Artist:
Arliston’s “What Did I Think Would Happen” kicks off their upcoming album, Disappointment Machine, and it instantly draws you into the narrative of unrequited love with a cautious intimacy. Wrapped in a warm, analog sound, the song is emotionally charged and it embodies the essence letting all your emotions flow to the surface.
Jack Ratcliffe, the band’s songwriter, captures this sentiment beautifully, stating, “This is one of my favourite songs on the album. We captured something that was very raw and at the same time feels gentle and intimate. It’s one of the hardest things to do: capture a strong emotion without screaming and shouting. But, with this one we managed to very lightly hold this poignant thing in the palm of the hand and express it with not much more than a whisper.”
The immediate emotions in “What Did I Think Would Happen” come from the authenticity of first-take ideas, showcasing Arliston’s desire to keep the creative flow intact throughout the production. George Hasbury adds insight into their process: “This song is an exercise in restraint; we tried adding lots of production, some of which stayed in as resampled. It was about finding the balance. It’s such an intimate song that we didn’t want to break that spell too frivolously.”
We believe this band's creative process is refreshingly unique, poised to captivate discerning audiences seeking a bold yet subtle edginess from a group willing to explore territory well beyond the ordinary.
You can find this release on any major platform, see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share “What Did I Think Would Happen” by Arliston.
Powerful quotes about this band:
“the perfect intersection of poignant songwriting and soaring instrumentals” - Notion
“captivating soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics” - Wonderland
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Arliston on Spotify & YouTube.
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