When British band Everything Everything released their debut album back in 2010, frontman Jonathan Higgs described their sound as pop primarily but a little bit more interesting, unpredictable and sort of surprising. Those very elements were what earned them, a place in the 2010 BBC Sound list as well as a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2011 for their debut album “Man Alive”.
The second studio album entitled “Arc” takes on that element of surprise preparing fans for an idea of pop that is nothing like they have imagined up till now. Getting to the core of this work is like removing layers of complexity and facing the fear of technophobia which is the central theme of their songwriting. If “Man Alive” was a wonderful attempt to impress us with overwhelming multi-variegated rhythms, then “Arc” follows on that path with singles “Cough Cough” and “Kemosabe” but soon enough turns into a more accessible and ethereal album thanks to the transcendental “Undrowned” and “The House is Dust”.
In this work of transition the album title sounds like a premonition becoming real. They take their musical baggage on board of this metaphorical arc, just before the flood and in these moments of reflection tracks like “Duet”, “Choice Mountain”, and “Armourland” showcase a different side of the band that echoes of Radiohead and Sigur, thus falling into a new art rock category that only adds up to their unique indie pop sound.