We Speak Music
Arliston ‘Disappointment Machine’ Is The Soundtrack to Your Existential Crisis (And You’ll Love Every Second of It)
Every now and then, an album comes along that feels like it was made for staring at the ceiling at 2 AM, wondering where it all went wrong. Arliston’s, Disappointment Machine, is that album—but in the best possible way. With its blend of atmospheric instrumentals and gut-punch lyricism, this debut is a love letter to anyone who has ever overthought a text message, regretted the one that got away, or found comfort in their own sadness.
Arliston, the London duo of Jack Ratcliffe and George Hasbury, have perfected the art of the slow burn. Their songs unfold gradually, each note and lyric sinking in like an old memory you can’t quite shake. Take ‘Scratches’, for example—it’s not just a song about a fight; it’s about the space between two people, the quiet waiting, the aching uncertainty. It’s devastatingly simple, yet completely mesmerizing.
But don’t mistake this album for pure sadness—there’s beauty in every note. Ratcliffe’s velvety vocals glide over Hasbury’s intricate arrangements, creating a soundscape that’s equal parts haunting and soothing. The production is meticulous, with each synth swell and piano chord placed just so, creating a world that feels rich, immersive, and impossibly cinematic.
The real magic of, Disappointment Machine, lies in its relatability. Arliston doesn’t just sing about love and loss; they capture the little moments that make heartbreak so painfully human. The hesitation before a goodbye. The quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, things could have been different. The way memories linger like a favorite song you can’t stop replaying.
If you’ve ever had your heart broken—or just like to pretend you have—this album will hit you in all the right places. Put on your headphones, dim the lights, and let, Disappointment Machine, remind you that sadness, when done right, can be absolutely breathtaking.
As if dropping a three-pack project filled with bangers was not eye-catching enough, Burgeoning Ghanaian talent NSRB Dray has served another masterpiece with the release of his new single “Eye for Eye.”
Known for singing from raw emotions, NSRB Dray takes it a step further in this new release where he talks about being in a state of despair and self-doubt.
However, there’s no doubt about his intentions on the record. NSRB Dray goes in hard from the first beat drop on the YNT Deezy-produced track.
On “Eye for Eye,” he glides on the boppy instrumentals for two minutes straight, highlighting the world’s abundance of greed, unforgiveness, ego, and pride.
He opens with his version of the famous Mahatma Gandhi saying, “An eye for an Eye leaves the world blind,” before letting his baritone vocals shine through what can pass a “here’s how the world works” pep talk to the listeners.
The record boasts of superior rawness draped around melodious saxophone sounds by Sam Aryee, missing in so many fine-tuned street-preaching jams lately. NSRB Dray’s delivery stands out as the lyrics pierce the ears and hearts of the listeners to nod and note down.
He shared the reason for his choice of lyrics exclusively to Amplify Ghana, stating that his never-give-up spirit pushed him to send a message of hope to his audience.
“Eye for Eye is a music piece written in a state of disrepair and self-doubt. It talks about not giving up and staying well composed in every situation,” he explained.
After dropping “PLAN B” which touched on a similar subject matter, last year, this new release could easily pass as his master plan, but the singer’s unpredictability and versatility means fans can expect different sounds from him.
“Eye for Eye,” is NSRB Dray’s 2025 welcome message. It was mixed by the singer and mastered by talented sound engineer QID Korle.
Don’t miss out on the message, stream ‘Eye for Eye’ here.
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