Arliston’s latest single, “Monks of Lindisfarne,” marks a captivating beginning to their upcoming album, Disappointment Machine. South London duo Jack Ratcliffe and George Hasbury weave a poignant tale of unrequited love, wrapped in warm, old-school sounding production that captures the heartache of romantic rejection.
The track’s evocative storytelling unravels the utter sting of unreciprocated feelings. The protagonist, through poetic and introspective lyrics, expresses a resigned acceptance, allowing the other person not to worry if the feelings aren’t mutual. This sentiment is beautifully mirrored in the music, where each percussive beat and deliberate lyric creates an atmosphere of anticipation.
The title, “Monks of Lindisfarne,” is inspired by a humorous reference from the TV show Peep Show. Reflecting on the emotional tension of the sing, Jack Ratcliffe shares,
“Monks of Lindisfarne is a Peep Show reference. The quote from the show is when Jeremy claims that he is doing the ‘honourable’ thing by telling Mark that he is in love with Mark’s girlfriend, Mark replies “No! An honourable man would have become a monk, or cut his nuts off, or gone to morocco.” This was one of the (many) oblique references I made in a panicked draft of a long message to someone, attempting to say something along the lines of ‘don’t worry if you don’t feel the same way, if you don’t, I’ll just become one of the monks of Lindisfarne.”
Musically, the track transitions from a folky tranquility to a lush, cinematic synth soundscape. The repetitive, self-affirming lyrics, “tell me I don’t need, that I’m better off,” resonate deeply as the song evolves. George Hasbury explains that the song’s arrangement was initially entirely synth-based, but found new life with the addition of layered guitars, starting the record with a simple guitar riff that blossoms into an 80s-inspired synth chorus, enriched by string arrangements that elevate the production.
“Monks of Lindisfarne” leaves listeners in a contemplative state, reflecting on their own romantic missteps, while being enveloped by Arliston’s intuitive and emotive musical craftsmanship. This nearly four-minute journey through heartache and self-realisation is both soothing and stirring, setting the stage for what promises to be an engaging album.
