Philly duo Arches describe their latest release Wide Awake as a concept album, a foray into the world of an anonymous city dweller as he leaves his lonely life behind and heads towards a hopeful alternative to places and spaces unknown. The album buzzes with a sense of collision, not heavy or violent, but like kicking up sand and watching it settle. Arches waver and quaver with gentle bends that push and build and threaten to break, sounds that echo and open up, mixing with wind and rain. Layered vocals weave wistful lyrics with wordless harmonies, nine quiet howls sung against the soft strum of a guitar.
Opening track, “This Isn’t a Good Night for Walking”, creeps in quiet towards a momentous percussive peak complete with twinkly cabaret piano. The track rises and falls, and rises and falls, again, a seeming onslaught of crescendos. Sounds literalize the band’s name; shifts between ups and downs drive much of the album, couplings that entice the ears and inspire both collective and anthemic rallying as well as a more quietly cooing sentimentality. “Headlights” starts low in near whisper but quickly blooms into booming vocals and churning guitar before ebbing back out. From track to track, the LP winds and unwinds, many loosely drawn strands charting the grey in betweens of departure and arrival. Perhaps the most fulfilling song on the album is its title track, “Wide Awake”, a slowly lulling hymn humming what could be the albums mantra: “Living in a dream/wide awake it seems”. Meandering movements of melodious pop twists and turns through worlds of sleep and insomnia, and while movement is constant, a journey is afoot, one well worth hearing for yourself.
Congratulations to Arches for reaching their Kickstarter goal! There will be a vinyl version of Wide Awake coming soon. Until then, you can purchase a digital copy here. You can also check out Arches live tomorrow night March 8th when they perform at Danger Danger Gallery with Shark?, Levek, and Cough Cool. – Amanda Lindsay