Patterns is apparently a “love letter to letting go”, using Arms’ trademark blend of sad and emotional sounds with wry observations and clever turns of phrase to create guitar-drive indie pop that fulfils the dual motives of being fun and accessible but also interesting and strange. As the press release describes:

“The songs on Patterns are as keenly aware of their place in the continuum of wry, melancholic songwriters (the Cohens, Merritts, Wainwrights, and Stipes that Goldstein likes to cite) as they are willing to twist those conventions into odd, intriguing new shapes.”

The first single, ‘Keep it Light’, is the perfect example of what makes Arms so great. The instrumentation skips along at a fair tempo as Goldstein’s vocals drawl and drag along behind, the words worming their way into your head between the sparkling guitars and shimmering reverb and Devendorfian drum work. The song gathers in intensity in the latter half, lyrics pressing forward with urgency, as if the subliminal message in your new favourite pop song has grown tired of being so cryptic and decided to make itself heard.

Patterns is due to be released on the 6th May via Paper Garden Records and you can pre-order it now.

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Surely you have all heard of ARMS? We have certainly mentioned them a few times. For the uninitiated, ARMS is Todd Goldstein, the ex-Harlem Shakes guitarist, and a variety of friends. We were honoured and delighted when Todd offered to record a version of ‘The Book of Love’ by The Magnetic Fields.

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It’s full of charts and facts and figures
And instructions for dancing

But I, I love it when you read to me
And you, you can read me anything

You can buy Quiet, Constant Friends now via the Wake The Deaf Bandcamp page. Remember, all tapes come with super-limited edition art print postcards. You’d be a fool to miss out!

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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:

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.

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