Arliston’s ‘Scratches’ captures the fragile aftermath of love in distress, painting a scene both intimate and cinematic. It’s a delicate, piano-led confession that lingers like the ghost of an unresolved argument. The imagery is striking: a lone figure in the kitchen, absentmindedly dragging a knife across the table, lost in the weight of what’s been said. Outside, an automatic garden light flickers on, a beacon of hope that someone might return… but they never do. The song thrives in this tension, balancing between faith and finality, comfort and devastation.

The duo masterfully weaves these emotions together, their soft yet sorrowful delivery wrapping around the listener like a bittersweet memory. ‘Scratches’ feels like a quiet realization setting in, the moment when you recognize that some things can’t be undone. The simplicity of its composition only amplifies its emotional impact, allowing the weight of every note and lyric to settle deep. As part of their debut album, Disappointment Machine, this track stands out as a raw, unfiltered moment of vulnerability.

“This one of the oldest songs on the album and is the only one written outside of that two-week window in November 2023. It’s a simple narrative about a married couple, who have an argument. One is waiting in the kitchen, “scratching up the table with a knife” (more in an absent-minded way than malicious!), waiting for the other to come back and see the automatic garden light to click on. Having faith that they will come back, but they never do.”

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