The Ariston - "Fire"

Imagine the best years of U2, when indie guitar anthems seemed to take up every spot in the charts and car adverts actually had decent songs. Now imagine Bono never picked up a pair of sunglasses, The Edge picked up some overdrive pedals and the band decided that Sam Fender would be their frontman. Now we’re getting close to the nostalgia-soaked sounds of The Ariston.

The Ariston are a time machine and “Fire” is a portal straight to the 2000’s. On this particular track, the band wears their influences on their sleeve. Along with the similarities to Bono and the boys, “Fire” evokes the same road trip mix vibe by blending Kings Of Leon chorus power, synth-like leads from The Killers and the Arctic Monkeys lyrical themes of yearning for something dysfunctional. That last one rings especially true when listening to Luca Slade’s pained vocals in the pre chorus:

“And while she's smoking her last cigarette

You make me think of my last regret

It's funny how you can just forget time, time.”

Forgetting time, or at least disregarding it in the moment, instantly reminded me of “505”, and I suppose both bands are thematically quite similar on each song. Two thinly veiled expressions of regret and the feeling that you’d do anything to go back, barely disguised with big walls of driven, reverb heavy guitar and relentless drums. It almost reads like a diary entry soundtracked by the stereo after a complicated break up.  Someone who knows no matter what they try, the outcome will be the same but trying regardless just to be closer to that person for a brief moment.

“Oh I'd give you anything you want just to take a few seconds of it

Taking down the door just for you to go

Straight out of it, straight out of it.”

The Ariston set out to make an introspective song about regret, emotional distress and reminiscing on what could have been and in the process have conjured up a way to take you back to CD players, broken headphones and love letters. It’s refreshing and reassuring to know that this kind of indie music still exists, especially as it’s such a core part of British music identity.

Keep your eyes peeled for our coverage of their headlining show in London! They set out on tour in October starting at Yellow Arch Studios on the 29th, ahead of their highly anticipated EP releasing later in the year.

I might see you there...