Armlock, the Australian duo of Simon Lam and Hamish Mitchell, have made a significant mark with their new album, “Seashell Angel Lucky Charm,” their first release under Run For Cover Records. This album is a testament to their evolution, blending their experimental electronic roots with an indie rock sensibility. The result is a collection of tracks that are both minimalistic and richly textured, offering a unique listening experience.
Lam and Mitchell, friends for 14 years, have a history of musical collaboration that spans various projects. Their journey began at Monash University in Melbourne, where they bonded over a shared love of electronic music. This connection led to the formation of Armlock, a project that allowed them to explore new musical territories, incorporating guitars into their sound for the first time. Their ability to record and engineer their music independently gave them the freedom to experiment and refine their sound without the constraints of studio time.
“Seashell Angel Lucky Charm” is a product of this creative freedom. The album features gentle vocals, fragile guitar lines, and steady beats, all interwoven with production flourishes like distant laughter, chopped-up samples, and pitched squeals. This approach to music-making, where the sound of an element is as important as the element itself, is a hallmark of their style. Lam explains, “We focus a lot on how an element sounds, rather than what an element is. If there’s a guitar part that’s not quite working, we might replace it with a keyboard or a sample.”
The album opens with “Ice Cold,” a track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It begins with robotic voices reminiscent of Boards of Canada and evolves into a warm, meditative piece. Lam’s subdued vocal delivery reflects on the loss of a friendship, introducing the album’s themes of air signs and higher dimensions. This track, like many others on the album, showcases Armlock’s ability to blend disparate influences into a cohesive sound.
Tracks like “Fear” and “El Oh Ve Ee” highlight Armlock’s skill with harmony. These songs use octaves of angelic sounds to stretch simple choruses into something meaningful and profound. “Fear,” in particular, addresses the overwhelming nature of life’s expectations, a sentiment that resonates deeply in today’s world. Lam shares, “This song is about feeling overwhelmed by life’s expectations. I’m scared of what lies ahead, but those around me don’t look so concerned, which worries me even more.”
“Godsend” is another standout track, featuring an airy acoustic guitar that provides a sturdy foundation for Lam’s voice. The song’s uncomplicated chord progressions and groove keep the focus on the vocals, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. This track, along with others on the album, uses guitar sparingly and thoughtfully, more as a tool than the primary songwriting vessel.
Armlock’s sound has been compared to the lean alternative of Pinback, the adventurous indie of Alex G, and the genre-bending music coming out of the UK from labels like Dean Blunt’s World Music or Vegyn’s PLZ Make It Ruins. These comparisons highlight the duo’s ability to create music that is both familiar and innovative.
Lyrically, “Seashell Angel Lucky Charm” explores themes of guidance and meaning in the enormity of existence. Lam reflects on his upbringing in a Catholic household and his subsequent turn away from Christianity. He explains, “I’ve definitely turned away from Christianity in my adult life but in recent years I’ve kind of missed that extra layer of meaning that religion adds to everyday life.” This search for meaning is evident in tracks like “Guardian,” where Lam looks “Somewhere up above” for “something or someone,” sifting through everyday life for signs of the divine.
The album’s title track, “Seashell Angel Lucky Charm,” encapsulates these themes beautifully. The song’s lyrics, “Ready for my essence to be found / ‘Cause I’m seeing their number all around / Guide me safe, lead me from harm / My seashell angel lucky charm,” reflect a yearning for guidance and protection. This track, along with others like “El Oh Vee Ee” and “Godsend,” blends esoteric ideas with romantic longing, creating a rich tapestry of sound and meaning.
“Seashell Angel Lucky Charm” is a testament to Armlock’s growth as musicians and songwriters. The album’s inventive minimalism and thoughtful arrangements make it a standout release in the indie rock landscape. With this album, Armlock has not only solidified their place in the music world but also set the stage for future explorations of sound and meaning.
Source: Run For Cover Records
