Arcade Beach - Music For Night Drives

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Arcade Beach’s Music For Night Drives explores love, loss, melancholy and joy, enfolded by Ben Paska’s beautiful production. There are synths that combine in lush layers and guitar which intertwines and joins Nick Sauter’s first-rate vocal performances and strong songwriting. When one adds the neon-drenched nostalgia and heartfelt emotion to the whole package, the end result is an album that balances retro dreams with emotive depth and takes me on a journey through sound.

The way in which songwriting and vocal performance combine on Music For Night Drives is a compelling draw for me. Nick Sauter has a flexible voice that is able to capture wide-ranging emotion and deliver it with sincerity and heart. When combined with the band's songwriting, the explorations of affection, longing, sadness and passion take on an intensely felt quality, evoking a sense of relation to the words and their associated feelings.

I am attracted to the fact that all of the varied musical elements interlink to create a richly layered support for the singing and songwriting on Music For Night Drives. The guitar performances are full of soul and intricacy. The synths all combine to create tones and textures which deepen the emotional effect of the words and the saxophone that comes in contributes passionate emotion and jazzy feeling. The end result is nostalgic and full of instrumental talent and beauty.

One more observation I’d like to make about the album is the inclusion of David Schuler from The Bad Dreamers on Moving On. His lyrical and deeply expressive voice adds another layer of emotional engagement to the song and his performance is strong, making the end result even more gripping and engaging.

My Favourite Songs Analyzed

“Nightfall” begins with a quickly bursting drum beat and hand claps as flashing synth spills sunset light into the music. The guitar adds a delicate luminosity as the bass rumbles below the intertwining notes and the drums burst into a poppy beat.

The guitar melody is full of hope and melancholy as Nick Sauter's expressive voice calls out with lyrics that are full of hurt. The low end continues to explode with energizing life while the vocals climb with touching power.

The chorus arcs with piercing feeling as the drums continue to drive on. The guitar in the distance pours out brightness into the music as the drum beat continues to erupt. The way in which Nick Sauter delivers the lyrics tugs at my heart with their deeply felt emotions.

As the chorus rings out again, the vocals carry melody, dynamism and pain intertwined within them. In the distance, the guitar adds rhythm before flying out into a solo that is yearning and intricate as the drums burst alone now. The hand claps continue along with the percussion and the chorus rises with a gripping feeling before the song ends.

The narrator talks about the neon lights shining through his windows as he realizes that "this is all insane." He’s been "living in the corners" of his mind and, as a countdown begins for the memories to become dust, he asks,"What do you do when you're hit by such a breach of trust?"

In the chorus, our storyteller asks where they go from there at nightfall. He speaks of falling asleep and falling through the atmosphere. As he travels “in between,” he visits "pieces of what might have been," as he concludes that he bears scars for "each and every sin."

An extended sweep of luscious synth gleams to commence “Isolation.” The bass continues to undulate as Michael Negoita’s guitar softly twangs in the distance and tender notes levitate. Nick Sauter's distorted voice begins to grow in power as the guitar shines with warming sensations and the drums and bass kick in. Radiant notes sing out as a chiming synth contributes crystalline light.

Nick Sauter's voice is full of regret and emptiness and the low end continues to pulsate. The sense of disconnection and mournful feeling is powerful within the vocals, drawing me in. As the chorus glides out, a craving for connection fills the music. The drums continue to throb as the fragile synth glitters with tentative light.

The chorus slips through the music with a bereft and unmoored feeling that is deeply affecting. The guitar gleams with lambent sensations as the low end continues to patter. The gruffness in the vocals adds to the emotion within the music.

The guitar solo cries out with deeply affecting emotion as it climbs and shines above the continually pulsating low end. The chorus drives home feelings of need and longing, carried by Nick Sauter's gripping vocal performance. The drums continue to throb as the vocals drift before silence falls.

As our storyteller got off the phone late the previous night, he realized that the song’s subject has left him in the fight alone. He talks about getting off the train and starting a fight as he adds,"I don’t know where we started or how we went." He "took a cab, no direction home."

The narrator says that "all the things I hide are buried behind a wall." He adds that he starts in black and white before moving into colour. He adds,"I want to know how it feels in the world to be on my own. I want to feel what it is in a world to be left alone."

As the song ends, our storyteller says, "Wherever I go and whatever I take, I’m ready to face everything at stake. It’s isolation, in isolation."

“Bad Morphine” starts with a metallically ticking hi-hat and refulgent synth as the drums launch with springy energy. The guitar curls in the background as the drums continue to burst with strength and swelling synth shimmers. Nick Sauter's voice is full of wishful ache and a sensation of dreamy disconnection.

The track continues to drive with the bursting drums as the shiny synth flares and Nick Sauter's voice captures a sense of need and dramatic expression. I enjoy the emotional power of the song as it unfolds. The guitar solo is genuin and intricately unwinding as Nick Sauter captures the pain within the lyrics.

The track fairly vibrates with feeling as the soulful vocals call out with the chorus. Ben Paska’s sparkling synth notes dance in the distance as the drumbeat continues to rock it. As the guitar cries out, the luminous synth carries a melody that’s surprisingly upbeat despite the emotional pain within the song. The deep guitar slashes into the music with heartstring-tugging sensations as the drums continue to guide onward.

Blinding light flashes forth as the drumbeat continues to punch and the guitar tangles and leaps with cascading expression. The chorus rises again as the drums continue to pulse and the song comes to an end.

The narrator says that he's been "neglecting what I should have done but I don't end," as he is caught between chagrin and rising up. He says that "your lips (are) still haunting me just like a midnight breeze," but "nothing hurts like the cold, so you better do what you've been told."

Our storyteller points out that the sun sets faster than it once did and he recalls the "blazing fever you brought me through," as he asks, "can I count on you? You're my one last strike to make it all right."

A sense of betrayal fills Nick Sauter and he feels weak when he recalls past events. He concludes: "I see you in my dreams like I'm on bad morphine, still nothing hurts like the cold better do what I've been told."

Tender notes expand along with radio static that joins with an old TV ad for Nintendo Gameboy as “Moving Away” begins. Radiant synth ripples and entangles with shining guitar as David Schuler's resonant and emotive voice carries the dreamy and yearning melody, while the drums cruise with smooth relaxation.

David Schuler's clear voice seizes me and punches the lyrics home to me. As the bass undulates, the chorus is full of gentle progress and a sense of nostalgia. The kick drum continues to pulsate while the lyrics are carried on David Schuler’s gripping vocals.

The shining notes that carry the melody are guided by the smooth drumbeat as they exude diamond light. The singer has real feeling as the trickling synth glitters and the track continues to pulse while the guitar unwinds with a caressing sound. The low end continues to glide as the chorus floats past with passionate expression and David Schuler carries me along.

The guitar solo sings with aspiring brilliance and a silken flow as the drums continue to punch. The entangling notes are full of illumination as the delicate vocals are full of ache. The bass tumbles before the guitar joins Nick Sauter to add more depth to his expression. The drumbeat continues to throb as the guitar flares and the track comes to an end.

Our storyteller is trapped in between things as he carries the weight of what he's seen. He says it's a "suitcase full of baggage I don't need." He hears the city streets "telling a tale of what used to be," as he trades his past for the chance to be released.

Now the narrator says he's moving away because "I don't know what is true and fake," and so "I'm selling a dream and moving forward. I’m moving away now there's no reason I should stay." He adds that he’s hitting the road and doesn’t want his world to come along.

For the storyteller, "the dark out here is more of a fight and less of a fear," as he says he's no stranger to the great unknown. He concludes by saying "the skyline fades and falls away, a neon ghost in the break of day," as he searches for something undefined.

“Silver Lining Street” opens as smoothly gliding synth flows and guitar flashes with tender light while the drums burst hard. A scintillating synth cries out with a hopeful, reaching melody and Nick Sauter's voice erupts with heartfelt emotion, carrying a melody that reflects hope.

Ben Paska’s production captures the emotional tenor of the song. The guitar is joined by flickering chimes and the vocals soar with deep feeling. Now the chorus rises, passionate and full of questioning. I find the song’s message compelling as it unfolds. A glittering synth calls out with a melody that combines sunlight and melancholy, while Nick Sauter takes hold of the lyrics and drives them into my heart.

The drums burst with compelling energy as sparkling notes illuminate the music. Michael Negoita’s guitar solo flies in, entangling with fervent expression, rich and full of strength. The drums explode again and lambent notes echo before the song ends.

The narrator talks about seeing “empty spaces on the avenue” as neon lights “paint the walls in darker blue.” The song's subject walks past, eyes downcast, as if “you wanted me to keep out of your glow.” The narrator has the song and his feet while “my heart still beats on Silver Lining Street ‘cause that’s where I belong.”

Our storyteller asks what he's supposed to do or say today, wondering, “What am I supposed to think of anyway?” He sees the world’s beauty outside and adds, “All I need’s a little space for me to hide.” But when “that door is open wide and there’s a fire burning inside,” the world continues on and “times get rough, but I’ve got love and that’s enough.”

Hugely rippling bass smoothly fills the background to commence “Night Windows”. Chimes flicker as staticky voices move with distorted sounds and the chimes ring. The electric guitar calls out with rising vigour as twirling arpeggios frolic in the distance. The guitar is bright and dramatic as it soars above the guiding low end. The drums are punchy and strong while Ben Paska’s glimmering synth entangles in the distance. Nick Sauter's voice is full of intense expression.

Chimes flash again as the drums continue to pulsate while shimmering notes fly past. The bass undulates as the chorus erupts with tender emotion, pulling me into the song’s atmosphere. The song flies with powerful feelings as the arpeggios swirl. The driving low end pushes forward as rounded notes sparkle with tender luminosity.

Passion and expression yearns for escape as the guitar sings with gleaming intensity. The chorus rises again, filling the music with heart and soul while the arpeggios spin out. The drums continue to drive as the guitar fills the music with its strong voice.

The guitar solo is full of gruff feeling and blues-inflected shadow as the pounding low end moves. A tinge of melancholy fills the song as it cascades and leaps freely. Once again, Nick Sauter drives home the song’s emotional content with his distinctive vocals before the song comes to an end on the twirling guitar.

This tale’s teller starts painting a plain room, painting a picture and “knowing what to do.” He speaks of vanishing into the song subject's tired eyes as he wonders if he's a fool. He talks about feeling “the call in a crowded place,” like an answer promised from outer space. He wants to be taken away because “the past is here to stay.”

Our storyteller speaks of “night windows flying by, chaos in the heat of night,” as he asks the other person to pretend it’s raining just for him. He sees “staring eyes” in the night windows as he moves along and says, “I pay the price.” He adds, “I might be crazy staying sane, but I won't stop, I’ll break the chain.”

Now our narrator's view has become clearer and he says, “If there’s an arrow, I know who to shoot.” The other person calls his name and he wonders if he’s with them. He concludes: “Please release me from this cage, another day, another page. There’s already things I need to know.”

“Lost in Conversation” begins as ethereal notes shine above an oscillating bassline. The bass is heavy and powerful as the guitar softly drifts through the music and Nick Sauter’s airy voice glides with an emotive caress while the kick drum begins to punch.

The ringing notes tangle with metallic light as the bass throbs. As the chorus rises, I am carried along by the conflicted emotion within Nick Sauter’s voice. The satiny smooth synth carries a melody that exudes peaceful, wistful sensations as the drums press on.

Once again, the climbing chorus radiates mixed frustration and impatience, while the saxophone comes into the music with its reedy passion, soloing with jazz-inflected elegance and slipping relaxation. The electric guitar cuts in now, rising to the stars with rough-edged beauty, dancing through the music with intricate dynamism. The low end continues to burst while the chorus flies out and the low end presses on.

The track explodes with forward motion as the string-like synth cries out and slips above the solid bassline. The song ends on full-sounding, brassy bells ringing into silence.

Our storyteller talks about getting up and out to the commotion and encourages the other person to “put your feet out, let the rain fall down.” He talks about being lost in conversation, saying, “We pray and every day we're closer to the curtain,” with no knowledge of how much time we have left. Yet still, we “spend the days taking it for certain.”

The narrator tells the song’s subject not to give him “that smile.” He says it’s “too late to compensate” and wonders why the other person hesitates. He goes on: “Time is of the essence,” adding that the song’s subject doesn’t have to prove how good they are. He concludes, “You never care as long as we get going.”

As the song ends, he says, “I don’t know where to find the dream you’re looking for, longing for. I won’t lie that way no more.”

The sound of rain splashing and echoing chords ringing opens “Undelete.” Sirens call out as the steady synth pulse drifts with sharp edges and a resonant sound vibrates. The drums drive on now as Ben Paska’s celebratory, fluting synth sings a light melody that lifts me above the stresses of the world. The low end continues to pulsate as Nick Sauter’s emotional vocals carry the bubbly melody above the undulating low end.

The hope within the vocals is touching for me, as the synth interlocks with the guitar while it pours out sunlight. Nick Sauter captures the mix of dreaming, escapism and an ache for freedom. The chorus is full of warmth and a sense of expectant hope.

The guitar rises now with luminescent shine and cascades with intricate depth above the steady low-end beat. The drums and bass throb as a trembling synth moves with silky strings and the sound of sirens rushes by again. The drums and bass drop for a moment before the guitar rises again with Nick Sauter’s voice, reaching out for a better life as the scintillating synth flares with lively light. The fluting notes in the distance cry out and silence falls.

Our storyteller describes the song character living alone “with a beat-up phone in a trailer by the sea.” She interrupts her lonely nights by taking the train “to the city and the lights, to become someone that she cannot be and somebody that she likes.”

In the chorus, the main character asks to be freed and pleads for someone to “say you want me, say you need me, undelete me.” She aches to be loved by someone unconditionally.

Now our storyteller explains that since the man she loved has been gone, she’s been “keeping on, trying to stay above the ground.” When the rain falls on her side of town, “she feels as if she drowns.” Every night she returns to a world that’s passed by and during the day “she’s watching reruns of her shows like she did when he was there.”

Conclusion

Music For Night Drives is a deeply affecting and well-crafted synth pop album that radiates maturity and emotional depth as it unfolds. I enjoy the listening experience and it’s one I find myself repeating often.