“Summer Funerals” sounds like three guys who actually listen to their record collection instead of just owning it. Arcane Arcade pulls from NOFX, Dwight Yoakam, and Taking Back Sunday but never feels like a cover band trying too hard to impress anyone.
Matt Shelley’s voice has this lived-in quality that works whether he’s screaming or crooning. Jeremy Roberts plays guitar like he’s settling old scores, and Brad McBride hits the drums like he means it. The whole thing was recorded in Tampa with Bob Noxious, and you can tell these guys actually enjoyed making this record.
“Flowers” opens things up fast and angry. “No Talking to Ghosts” and “Salty” have these hooks that won’t leave your head alone. Then “Noon on Sunday” comes out of nowhere with this bouncy thing that shouldn’t work but totally does. “Telemedicine” gets heavy and weird in the best way.
Fourteen tracks sounds like a lot, but nothing here feels like filler. These guys from central Florida made something that actually stands out in a crowded scene, and if you want to keep up with whatever they’re doing next, you should probably follow Arcane Arcade on Instagram because they seem like the type of band that’s always up to something interesting.
