Armlock is the self-produced debut album from School Of X a.k.a Rasmus Littauer. Following the acclaimed EPs ‘Destiny’ and ‘Faded Dream’ this multi-talented artist has reshaped some of his earlier work to create a collection of emotional Indie pop songs with an adventurous new and refreshing sound. Opening track “Where Do I Start” begins with a great keyboard intro which leads into a melancholy pop song with some excellent keyboard embellishments. Next up “Bad Love” is a beautiful keyboard-based song. When the rhythm picks up this has a really good pop feel to it. Third track “Believe It” has a more indie feel to it and a very appealing guitar figure. Track 4 has an intimate ballad style opening and the addition of female vocals here is a nice touch. When the two voices meet in unison they fit together perfectly. Great keyboard sounds again.
“Forgot Me On The Moon” is a great melodic and upbeat song featuring more sublime keyboards. “Collarbone” has a strong backbeat with a beautifully controlled vocal. The seventh track “Flowers” opens with a strange bass soundscape leading into a fine keyboard theme. There is a slightly more experimental feel here. Ethereal vocals with echoing keyboard and more than a taste of ‘Steve McQueen’ era Prefab Sprout. “Rivers” has a strong rhythmic feel and a lovely lilting melody
Final track “Blood Flow” has a great anthemic slow feel and is a superb closer with a reprise of the marvellous vocal sound that is such a feature of this record.
This is an appealing and uplifting album and should help to move this innovative and gifted artist to a place where his delightful melodic music is heard and appreciated by a much wider audience.
Written by Paul Bamlett.
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