Formed around Dutch singer/songwriter Robin den Drijver, The Arthurs are an alternative rock outfit from Amsterdam and Rotterdham. The group released their second project, ‘Glass’, near the end of June this year. Crafting a nigh dreamlike air to the album, they’ve managed to string together a myriad of influences that range from The Pixies, The Smiths, and Nirvana into something wholly their own. In a way, if there was a dream pop equivalent in the alternative rock space, The Arthurs would be an undoubted pioneer. Their ability to sculpt entire atmospheres built on layered vocal harmonies, sharply cutting electronic riffs, and poignant lyrics make the listening experience simultaneously empowering and reflective.
‘Glass’ stands at ten tracks long, with each track being as meticulously thought out as the last. The opener, ‘Red Letter Days’ features vocals from Kik van Deursen that seamlessly overlay with the lead. Beginning with a transportive electric riff that’s accompanied by a dreamy soundscape, the layered vocals swoon in to add the final touches to the illusory piece. Sonically, the follow up track, ‘Laugh’ largely draws on a similar soundscape. But here, the composition is starkly different — it’s much more easy going, almost warm even. The chorus, which rather whimsically goes ‘Started with a laugh’ is an instant smile giver. Here as well, the electric guitar solo just adds another level to the track’s effect. I can’t stress enough how well The Arthur’s are able to utilise the electric guitar to pull off so much.
And to me that’s the centrepiece of ‘Glass’ — a magnificent guitar driven album that is as impassioned in each twang of that electric instrument as it is with every lyric sung. I’ll make note of my favourite part of the album as well here, the closing tracks. Perhaps also the most entertainingly titled, both ‘I Am the Bogeyman’ and ‘Alice At The Wedding’ are fun as hell. ‘I Am the Bogeyman’ is downright groovy, with a funky riff and a magnificent outro that fades out with ‘have a good time’ repeating on and on till you can’t help yourself but have a damn good time; a little hypnotic if I may say so. And there’s Alice. The riff on this song is the single best on the project for me, it might be one of the best I’ve heard all year even. It’s far from complicated, a very straightforward strumming pattern but one that’s addictively good. The outro has the most intricate and dense soundscape of the entire project, with a belter of a vocal to close it out alongside a stretched and evocative solo. It has everything that’s good in this album condensed into a heaven of four minutes.
Fans of alternative rock would do well to check out The Arthurs, they’re not just going to give you sounds you enjoy, but also treat you to soundscapes you’d never have heard of before. The dream rock atmosphere that they craft is truly unparalleled.