Arkells – Blink Once

Ontario’s Arkells are in the long line of Canadian acts with large & loyal north-of-the-border followings that have never really broken through Stateside....
Arkells : Blink Once
8.0 Universal Music Canada
2021 
Arkells : Blink Once

Though all their music may differ, Ontario’s Arkells are in the long line of Canadian acts with large & loyal north-of-the-border followings that have never really broken through Stateside. But the electro-pop is very appealing, infused with hope & love on Blink Once.

That comes through very clear at the start of Blink, not Once, not twice, but thrice, in the opening three “Liberation”, “You Can Get It”, and “All Roads”. The album starts with the uplifting message of ‘living despite cancer’ in “Liberation”, and then there’s perhaps the band doing their style their best ever with “You Can Get It” (QRO review) – guest appearance by K.Flay never hurts. And then Arkells uplift soars with “All Roads” (QRO review). Admittedly, the rest of the record can’t match these heights, some of the upbeat simply simpler. But there is a touch of funk on both the soul-rock of “One Thing I Know” and ‘hope in love’ “Truce”.

So, even if you live in These United States, or anywhere else without a maple leaf on your flag, check out electro-pop uplift of Arkells on Blink Once.

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