Armlock

Armlock makes music for those with their heads in the clouds. The duo draws from their experimental, electronic roots and filters it through an indie-rock lens. Crystal clear guitars, a tight but simple beat, warm harmonies and sparse arrangements leave room for character and idiosyncrasy. Their tender vocals take center stage, but are supported by cleverly deployed production ornaments such as distorted laughter, chopped-up samples and pitched screams that ping around the listener's ears.

On their second album Seashell Angel Lucky Charm, every sound feels precisely and purposefully placed. Harmony plays through angelic octaves, building a simple chorus into a meaningful climax. Guitar is used sparingly and thoughtfully, as nothing more than a tool in their musical arsenal. The result feels like a tight alternative to Pinback, Alex G’s adventurous indie, or the genre-bending music from the UK, from labels like Dean Blunt’s World Music and Vegyn’s PLZ Make It Ruins.