Review Summary: A fitting, bittersweet conclusion.
A conclusion is always something difficult to nail down. Sometimes things finish before you’re even sure they’re done and that’s what you get the sense of with this EP. From the (somehow) more sombre mood, to the dropping in the guitars and more reliance on organs, keys and piano,
Try and Stay Upright feels like the end to an era. Whilst it was released almost 4 years before the band broke up, you get the sense that this is the end. The lyrics are bitter and sad. If the previous two albums were the path of getting into the relationship, than this is the end, the bitter break-up, the shed tears. It comes to my attention that this is one of those rare cases where dissecting this record won’t make it clear what flaws and aids this record. It’s a cohesive unit that works best when listened to at once. Of course, it’s possible to take single tracks and critique them as more of the same, but that overarching product, that final product that tells a story, narrating a simple idea. Conclusions. Even in the opening words of the title track, the melancholy reminisce of a career founded on singing sad songs about other people. It’s almost cathartic, simplistic and blatant in a way that makes you want to be brought to tears. Whilst it will never rival other genre greats, it is simply the last die cast of a band willing to surmise their career with a beautifully orchestrated EP, full of dynamic mood swing and well-illustrated pain. With a shaking attempt to get footing on their debut EP, Arrows found their footing with Modern Art & Politics, and ended it quite fittingly with their concluding record. Rather than making the mistake that many do and draw out their style until it was bored, strung out and lifeless, Arrows picked a great record to finish on.
3.5/5
