Arliston’s ‘Disappointment Machine’ exists in liminal moments of loss, confusion and desire

Arliston je londýnske duo Jack Ratcliffe (spevák / inštrumentalista) a George Hasbury (inštrumentalista / producent), ktorí vydali singly „Monks of Lindisfarne“, „Vertical“ a „What Did I Think Would Happen“ v priebehu ich debutového albumu. Disappointment Machine (out 7th February 2025). Now the incredible title-track joins this string of introspective and intimate pieces to further complete the emotive world-building that Arliston executes so well.

Jediný "Machine of Disappointment" je preniknutý pocitom straty, zmätku a túžby. To sa točí okolo relatívnej myšlienky opakovania vzorcov správania, do ktorých mnohí z nás spadajú, či už je to voľba, náhoda alebo jednoduché odmietnutie zmeniť.

As the band explain, “This song gets into the repeated pattern of behaviour which leads mechanically and invariably to disappointment. It also attempts to put into context the fact that it’s a ‘tiny problem’ and does not matter, but despite the attempts to minimise it, the feelings remain the same.”‍

It’s the palpable imagery of trying to hang one’s problems onto a coat hanger that proves the originality of the band’s expressive songwriting. Self-described as “sad song specialists”, songs like ‘Disappointment Machine’ captures the “liminal moments” of isolated uncertainty of that particularly fraught time of life, our late twenties and early thirties. Whether listeners are going through the fray right now, anticipating what’s to come, or reflecting on the confusion of their past, the relatability of Arliston’s songwriting is undeniable.

As well as being a stand-alone piece of art, this track fits into the wider narrative arc of the album, which will take the listeners on an emotive journey from initial, devastating heartbreak to something bordering acceptance… even a little glimmer of hope. The only way to get there is to go through and as Ratcliffe knowingly declares, staying stuck in the same cycles “doesn’t work. It won’t ever stop you from feeling the way you’re feeling.”

„Machine of Disappointment“ je tiež sprevádzané evokujúcim hudobným videom, ktorého režisérmi sú nedávni absolventi scenáristiky Meriwether Freya Lewis a producent Milly Ruston, zachytáva jedinečnú zmes humoru a introspekcie. Filmované okolo Bristolu, video sleduje mních, hral Cailum Carragher, ktorý opúšťa pokojnú svätyňu svojho kláštora v snahe o niečo viac - len aby zistil, že spojenie, ktoré hľadá, môže byť ilúziou. Inšpirovaný Amish tradíciou Rumspringa, rozprávanie odráža príťažlivosť dobrodružstva a svetských zážitkov, pričom tiež naznačuje trvajúci ťah osamelosti a duchovného naplnenia. Arliston porovná

Collaborating with Freya and her team allowed Arliston to focus solely on storytelling, and the result is a beautifully balanced piece that mixes humor with sincere self-reflection. This thoughtful exploration of “fool’s gold” perfectly mirrors Arliston’s introspective musical style, transforming a simple story into a powerful metaphor for finding meaning in unexpected places.

The outfit’s key influences like The National, Bon Iver, and Damien Rice come through in their wide-ranging elements and crisp production, drawing out what they affectionately call “hardcore misery”.

Arliston, Disappointment Machine, Official Music Video: 

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