Unwrapping Heartache: Arliston’s ‘What Did I Think Would Happen’ Balances Longing with Lush Nostalgia

Arliston’s latest single, 'What Did I Think Would Happen', is the sonic equivalent of finding a box of old mixtapes in the attic and letting nostalgia wash over you in waves. It’s the kind of song that instantly transports you somewhere between memory and melancholy, kicking off, Disappointment Machine, with a dose of raw vulnerability wrapped in lush, analog warmth. Think of it like hitting play on an old VHS tape, hearing that satisfying hum as the tape whirs to life—except, instead of grainy visuals, you get a cinematic flood of emotion.

Lead songwriter Jack Ratcliffe doesn’t hold back in the lyric department; his words cut straight to the heart, sketching out the messy beauty of unrequited love with a poet’s precision. Ratcliffe’s falsetto feels like it’s on the edge of breaking—a fragile, haunting thing—and when he dips into his lower register, it’s like a gentle reminder that there’s depth beneath the surface ache. It’s a vocal journey that captures both the quiet longing and heavy-hearted realism of someone coming to terms with love that just doesn’t reciprocate.

The production here is pure analog dreamland, with warm textures and that soft, slightly fuzzy quality that feels like it was recorded straight onto a beloved cassette tape. And then there’s that piano melody, tiptoeing around the edges of the track like a half-forgotten memory, bringing just the right touch of delicacy to a song that’s all about vulnerability. It’s intimate and tender, but never tries too hard to make you feel something—it’s like the song itself understands the complexity of love and loss, and simply lets you sit in it.

Disappointment Machine, is shaping up to be one for the late-night introspection sessions, and if 'What Did I Think Would Happen' is anything to go by, we’re in for a soulful exploration of heartbreak, nostalgia, and all those quiet, lingering “what ifs” we tuck away in the back of our minds. So, grab your headphones, maybe a box of tissues, and let Arliston guide you through the beautiful mess of unrequited love. This one isn’t just a song—it’s an experience.

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