The novel by Jack Kerouac. On the road It was revolutionary when it was published in 1957 because it addressed taboo topics that few authors of the time dared to explore. Similarly, Arab Strap's notoriety, as one journalist put it, is due to how the duo “provoked and found poetry in the songs…few of their '90s indie rock counterparts had the stomach for it.” .
Since reforming in 2016, frontman Aidan Moffat has shifted his songwriting from autobiographical narratives to exploring a broader range of issues and themes that pique his interest. Arab Strap is confident that their post-2016 material represents an evolution in their sound, evident that 13 of the 18 songs performed come from their last two LPs.
Following support from Swedish independent twin sister group 7ebra, Arab Strap dove straight into performing three songs from their latest album. I'm totally fine with that. I don't give a damn anymore.. The social commentary on track three, “Sociometer Blues,” proved to be the most gripping with its penetrating analysis of the impact of social media. The lyrics, set to a percussive piano soundscape, “I come to you to… But you give me irritation/insult and misinformation/hatred, prejudice and predation.” collectively took over the audience at Koko.
For two-thirds of the set, the spoken-word piece “Dreg Queen” from the latest LP delved into the importance of face-to-face interactions in pubs and public spaces, where Moffat finds a sense of relief and replenishment after spending too much time. online. The use of spoken word at the beginning of the set of “New Birds” from Arab Strap’s second LP. philophobia It turned out to be a standout moment, exploring the inability to escape an ex when there's unfinished business. This extended EDM and a wide variety of guitars were the highlight of the performance.
In the pre-encore play, Arab Strap played their twelfth song from their two most recent LPs. The song “Turn Off the Light” explores how conspiracy theories from “nefarious” elements such as “Holocaust deniers” spread quickly. The slow electronic background of this song, built with heavy guitars and synths, pleased the audience and earned the most passionate and joyful applause of the night.
Material pre-2016, particularly pre-2006, was significantly underrepresented in the track listing. However, some of Arab Strap's greatest classics were performed live, including “Girls of Summer” from their first EP. While much of Arab Strap's earlier material is less immediate and often exceeds the average song length, “The Shy Retirer” from their fifth album, released in 2003, proved to be their most poppy and instantaneous. The lyrical heroics continued with Philophobia's “Packs of Three,” a song Moffat previously dedicated to his mother at shows. Despite its dark themes, the lyrical genius of “Packs of Three” remains timeless live.
Should Arab Strap have played more pre-2006 hits? Maybe. album three elephant shoe, which will turn 25 later this year, was omitted from the setlist. Although fans didn't sing any of the songs, the emotional impact was palpable, with a stoic and euphoric appreciation. While the Arab Strap community on Koko wasn't the most dynamic, they certainly understood the “moral” of their latest album: “go out and enjoy.” And they had fun, they did.
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