Arc The Forest – To Fall Again (EP)

It’s quite rare for relative newcomers to bring forth an EP that does not let down once, yet Arc The Forest seems to have done it. Every single track on To Fall Again made me want to stop whatever I was doing as it demands your full attention. This Cape Town band has truly cemented their sound as I struggle to think of any South African act to give you an idea of what to expect.

To Fall Again will take your heart and take it on a journey, aided by heavenly falsetto, absolutely beautiful guitars and the ever present drums that knows just when to bring forth the dramatic moments (of which there are plenty). A soothing bass line accompanied by the ethereal synths sprinkled throughout, will ensure that this EP tugs at your heartstrings. You feel every emotion as they tackle issues such as self-love, societal pressures and loneliness all with a touching sensitivity which can be hard to come by these days. Arc The Forest will ask you to give them your heart and I can tell you now that you can trust them with it.

It’s hard to select a single standout track as they are all truly special.  The Dip, Bones and Forward Slash are all different yet they capture what Arc The Forest represents. Warrior is the perfect closing track as it builds up towards what seems to be a climactic explosion of instruments, only to leave you wanting more.

Overall, Arc The Forest offers something truly refreshing. If this is what they have to offer on an EP, I’ll be sure to get my emotions in check when we finally get to see a full-length album.

Don’t sleep on this, South Africa.

4/5

By Arnold vd Walt – @DisArnold