In a world where unrequited love can linger in our hearts for years, if not decades, the British indie duo Arliston crafts an album that explores this very ache with haunting beauty. Their debut album, Disappointment Machine, is a profound journey into the spaces of confusion and longing, where the question "What if?" echoes through every corner. It’s an exploration of heartbreak and the quest for closure, even when that closure may remain elusive.
Arliston’s self-proclaimed title of “sad song specialists” is a fitting description of the emotional depth they bring to their music. The album captures the turmoil and uncertainty that often accompany life in your late twenties and early thirties—an age when dreams, relationships, and self-discovery often collide, leaving us questioning who we’ve become.
What sets Disappointment Machine apart, though, is its serene yet aching musicality. There is no chaos in the sound; rather, it is a carefully curated collection of minimalist pianos, immersive synths, and the gravelly baritone of vocalist Jack Ratcliffe. The result is an atmosphere that invites you to step inside and reflect on your own moments of vulnerability.
The album’s songwriting is equally striking in its simplicity. Arliston employs subtle sound textures—faint buzzing static, fragments of conversation, and monologues that give the album an air of introspection and rawness. It's as if each track allows the listener to overhear the internal dialogue of someone lost in thought, processing their emotions in a slow, deliberate way. The gentle but expansive production creates a perfect backdrop for Ratcliffe’s voice, which resonates with a sense of weariness, as though he’s sharing the most intimate thoughts with you, all while accepting the sadness that comes with them.
One standout track, "Scratches," brings this vulnerability to the forefront. A piano-driven ballad, it reflects the aftermath of a couple's argument, capturing the weight of regret and the fragility of love. The song’s delicate arrangement mirrors the fragility of the moment, offering a deeply personal and emotional listening experience. It’s a perfect example of Arliston’s ability to balance sorrow with beauty, turning pain into something poetic and cathartic.
“This one of the oldest songs on the album and is the only one written outside of that two-week window in November 2023. It’s a simple narrative about a married couple, who have an argument. One is waiting in the kitchen, “scratching up the table with a knife” (more in an absent-minded way than malicious!), waiting for the other to come back and see the automatic garden light to click on. Having faith that they will come back, but they never do.”
Fans of artists like The National, Bon Iver, and Damien Rice will find much to connect with in Disappointment Machine. It’s an album steeped in melancholy, yet imbued with the kind of resilience that comes from accepting life’s imperfections. Through its careful balance of sadness and hope, Arliston has crafted a debut album that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever loved, lost, and wondered what might have been.
Disappointment Machine is an emotional journey, and it’s one that’s well worth taking.
Stream 'Disappointment Machine' in full here: