This may sound surprising, but ARMS is one of the first NYC bands I ever heard.The song was “Heat and Hot Water”, and the year was 2009 – I was 16. The setting was an NYU dorm room. I don’t think I had ever fallen in love with a song like I fell in love with that song, playing it over and over and over again, much to the annoyance of everyone around me. Naturally, I was thrilled when I heard about the band’s new album, "Summer Skills," released in November, but upon first listen what I heard exceeded even my wildest expectations. The album (which features a newly recorded version of my favorite song) is beautiful and conveys blissfully melancholy in the best way. Songs like “Sore” and “Curtains” stir up nostalgic feelings that you can’t quite put your finger on but are powerful and passionate like the best summer memories. – See ARMS at The Mercury Lounge on February 28 with Glass Ghost (who graced the cover of our magazine a few years ago), read Amanda Dissinger’s interview with front man Todd Goldstein here.
