V11 x Rotown presents: Armlock

Armlock creates music for those who have their heads in the clouds. The duo draws from their experimental, electronic roots, filtering them through an indie-rock lens. Crystal-clear guitars, a tight yet simple beat, warm harmonies, and sparse arrangements leave plenty of room for character and quirkiness. Their tender vocals take center stage, supported by cleverly employed production ornaments like distorted laughs, fragmented samples, and pitched cries that ping around the listener’s ears.

On their second album Seashell Angel Lucky Charm, every sound is precisely crafted and intentional. They play with harmony using angelic octaves, where a simple chorus blossoms into a meaningful climax. Guitar is used sparingly and thoughtfully, serving as little more than a tool in their musical arsenal. The result recalls a tight alternative version of Pinback, Alex G’s adventurous indie, or genre-defying music from the UK, from labels like Dean Blunt’s World Music and Vegyn’s PLZ Make It.