Arliston: Disappointment Machine
Arliston release stunning debut album, Disappointment Machine, a cinematic voyage into unrequited love, loss, and melancholic catharsis
by Jack Rush
After a string of tracks that have gradually unravelled the emotive inner world of Arliston, the London-based duo vocalist/instrumentalist Jack Ratcliffe and instrumentalist/producer George Hasbury have released their debut album Disappointment Machine. It’s a striking collection of introspective tracks that delve into the complexities of unrequited love, heartbreak, and the lingering ache of "what if?"
Self-described as “sad song specialists,” Arliston brings to life a poignant soundscape, combining minimalist pianos, gossamer synths, and Ratcliffe’s brooding baritone. Their music offers listeners an intimate experience, reflecting the confusion and turmoil that often accompany one’s late twenties and early thirties. Yet, in contrast to this emotional turbulence, the album itself is a carefully constructed blend of ambient tones, and experimental textures.
The album also features focus track ‘Scratches’, an intimate piano-led song that hones in on the aftermath of a couple’s argument; it’s somewhat fragile and full of regret.
“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.”
For fans of The National, Bon Iver, and Damian Rice, Disappointment Machine is an essential listen—a deeply evocative album that balances sadness with resilience, and regret with hope.
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