Okay, here’s my take on ArtfulFrankArthur’s debut single, “Reflection”:
ArtfulFrankArthur. The name sounds like a royal decree delivered by a tipsy knight. But behind this Finnish moniker (courtesy of Simo Andersén) lies “Reflection,” a single grappling with… well, everything. It’s atmospheric pop, sure, indie rock, definitely, but try squeezing the vastness of existential dread into a genre label. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
The core of this track, this sound-creature sculpted by Andersén, is the uneasy marriage of success and inner turmoil. The central lyrics explore being profoundly un-okay, even when everything looks okay. You’ve got the keys to the castle, but the throne room feels colder than a Finnish winter, apparently. Speaking of Finland, I wonder if they have decent tacos there? Anyway…
The music itself mirrors this duality. The guitar melodies are undeniably catchy, sweet enough, even. One minute you’re feeling the tune, the next your toe tapping to a tune while remembering humanity’s place as stardust in the giant void. A chilling concept and delivered effortlessly.
The instrumentation swirls and builds, pulling you under like a tide of… well, sparkly melancholy.
“Reflection” isn’t trying to give you answers. It’s not here to hold your hand and whisper sweet nothings – the universe doesn’t do gentle whispers. It’s holding up a mirror, albeit a slightly smudged one, reflecting the complicated mess of being human. And is that any one persons condition, or just a shared burden?.
It asks: Are we all just beautifully crafted ships sailing on a sea of mild to moderate despair? What if existential dread tastes a bit like…lingonberry jam?
Think about it.
