London-based duo Arliston delivers a melancholic masterpiece with their debut album, Disappointment Machine. Across 12 intricately crafted tracks, Jack Ratcliffe (vocals, multi-instrumentalist) and George Hasbury (instrumentalist, producer) blend emotive lyricism with rich sonic textures, drawing comparisons to The National, Bon Iver, and Sufjan Stevens. Arliston self-identifies as “sad song specialists,” and this record wholeheartedly embraces that identity, exploring heartbreak, longing, and introspection with breathtaking depth.

The album’s opener, “What Did I Think Would Happen”, sets the tone with delicate piano and Ratcliffe’s distinctive, melancholic baritone, surrounded by bubbling electronics that steer it away from traditional balladry. “Monks of Lindisfarne” further leans into The National’s influence, offering emotive vocals over gently picked guitar and an unstructured rhythm that gives the track an organic flow. The title track, “Disappointment Machine”, melds warm piano with ambient electronics, highlighting the duo’s ability to merge beauty with desolation.

Beyond its somber atmosphere, Disappointment Machine is brimming with subtle sonic surprises. Tracks like “Time Lost” and “The Raft” showcase hauntingly sparse arrangements, where muted piano chords and glitchy textures echo the quiet devastation of heartbreak. Meanwhile, “Sleep Well Bean” injects a wry sense of humor, referencing The National’s Sleep Well Beast while playfully acknowledging personal shortcomings. These moments of self-awareness provide a much-needed breath amid the album’s emotional weight.

“I think we all know that if your love for someone was reciprocated, you would learn about the fallibility of that person, their flaws, but because it’s unrequited, they stay forever in that status of ‘perfect’”, says Jack Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe’s vocal performance is mesmerizing, capturing emotional exhaustion with effortless grace, while the album’s intricate production ensures each layer—from somber synths to delicate strings—feels essential. Standouts like “Scratches” and “Stay in Brixton” close the album on a devastating yet beautiful note, drawing comparisons to The National’s Nobody Else Will Be There with their ethereal piano work and glitching subtleties.

Disappointment Machine is not an easy listen, nor is it meant to be. It’s an immersive, deeply affecting experience that demands full attention. While some may find its relentless melancholy overwhelming, others will discover a cathartic beauty in its honesty. For fans of downbeat, introspective music, Arliston is a revelation—a band capable of crafting heartbreak into something stunningly profound.

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