The Lonely Forest - Arrows

Picking up where they left off with their self-titled e.p., The Lonely Forest return with their full-length debut for Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla’s boutique label for Atlantic, Arrows.

With most of the material from that aforementioned e.p. found here on the full-length, Arrows renders it redundant somewhat, while also managing to enlighten the promise it displayed in its brevity.

It’s easy to hear why Walla was drawn to the band and became an early supporter. They draw from the same emotive pool as DCFC, and Walla treats his younger bros to an impeccable production that’s angular and expansive.

He uses the “Company Calls” technique during Arrows’ most ornate song, “Tunnels.” Beginning with a bit of moody atmospheres, it transitions into a full gallop before tacking the track “Ramshackle House” (which had its own track listing for the e.p.) in the middle verse before returning to a rousing rock stomp at the end of the cut.

In short, Walla’s provided The Lonely Forest with a gripping backdrop for such a young band his affection for them is obvious. They return the favor with a passionate performance and a level of perfection that many bands with double the tenure would be envious of.

Of course, there has to be a bit of talent outside the control room to make the Lonely Forest’s attraction even possible, and frontman John Van Deusen certainly has a way of sweetening his mope and fey swells with a good goddamn amount of memorable pop.

Arrows shows The Lonely Forest in a manner that all the ladies arriving early for the Death Cab shows this summer will be pleased with the opening band, assuming that we’ll be seeing John and company taking advantage of the enviable slot.

“Now this melancholy boy is gonna shine!” Van Deusen declares on the title track, and Arrows confirms that he does exactly that.