Arliston’s ‘Monks of Lindisfarne’ is a musical gem that ensnares the senses and tugs at the heartstrings, with a track that’s both aural bliss and cinematic masterpiece. Imagine your ears being cradled in a warm, ethereal indie-folk-pop cocoon, only to have them lovingly shattered by the pangs of unrequited desire. The track manages to take the listener on a melancholic yet euphoric journey, with lyrics that delve deep into the heartache and rejection we’ve all known too well. The production is a warm embrace, wrapping you in its delicate, yet powerful, soundscapes. This mesmerizing single is a tantalizing taste of what’s to come from their upcoming album, Disappointment Machine.

Inspired by an intriguing text exchange about unreciprocated feelings, the track’s title comes from the witticism. This level of authenticity permeates the entire song, making its heart-wrenching undertones impossible to escape. Opening with gentle guitar chords and slowly blossoming into a bold, cinematic experience, ‘Monks of Lindisfarne’ builds to an emotionally resonant climax that screams Bon Iver vibes. The non-standard drum patterns and synth-supported vocal melodies elevate the track to ethereal heights, creating a sonic landscape that’s both haunting and beautiful. And the Peep Show reference? Genius. It’s a nod to those who appreciate humor interwoven with the dramatic flair of indie folk.

“Monks of Lindisfarne is a Peep Show reference. The quote from the show is when Jeremy claims that he is doing the ‘honorable’ thing by telling Mark that he is in love with Mark’s girlfriend, Mark replies “No! An honorable 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.”

“We fought with the arrangement of this one, it originally was an entirely synth based song, but it really turned a corner when we layered up the guitars and in the end we began the whole record with just guitar. I really enjoy the way this song starts out as a folky little guitar riff and then blossoms into this 80’s synth chorus thing, the strings also add just that extra layer of class to the production.”

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