ARMS is the project of Todd Goldstein, singer and guitarist and ex-Harlem Shake. The project’s first album, Kids Aflame, was released back in 2008. Goldstein then released an EP (entitled EP, maybe now that becomes EP1?) and followed this in 2011 with a full-length called Summer Skills. This album proved to be a landmark for Goldstein, the moment ARMS transformed from bedroom-recorded side project to a full-blown indie rock band. Since then ARMS has been relatively quiet, with Goldstein having taken some time out to do a masters in graphic design (which I presume came in useful when he designed the cover art you can see above). This silence was broken with the announcement of EP2 earlier this month.
EP2 is the result of a collaboration between Goldstein and drummer Tlacael Esparza, a collection of five home-recorded indie pop songs that have a breezy swagger and carefree abandon. Goldstein’s signature croon is ever present and Esparza clatters on those drums like there’s no tomorrow. Lead single ‘Comfort’ is a love song about music, or a love song about a girl, or maybe a love song about both. It’s bright and poppy and perfect for the tropical weather the UK is currently enjoying. Listen below:
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99231992″]
I’m pleased to say the rest of the EP continues in this fashion. The whole thing clocks in at only 22 minutes, and it turns out to be 22 minutes of pure joy. The record’s closer, ‘Up & Up’, is my current favourite. Opening with a perky guitar line that should whet the appetite of any fans of The Harlem Shakes, it’s a five and a half minute see-saw of dreamy lulls and frantic, dance-able refrains. It succeeds at the winning indie rock formula combining headphone-friendly, thoughtful passages with an energy and dynamism that makes people get on their feet and jump about a lot.
EP2 is out on Paper Garden Records on the 10th of September. Pre-order it on vinyl, CD or digital download here.
P.S. If you are not familiar with ARMS’ previous records, follow the links embedded above and hit play, I think you will like them.