On April 20th, music lovers around the world all frolicked to our favorite vinyl and CD shops in honor of National Record Store day, celebrating all aspects of the music industry. On that same day, Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchinson and Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull gave us one more reason to celebrate with their collaborative single, “Architect”. The track strays from the traditional sound of both groups, opting for just acoustic guitar and vocals instead of the indie rock wall-of-sound produced by the full bands. The sound of organically sliding fingers across the fretboard, the vulnerability of Hutchinson’s exposed Scottish drawl backed by falsetto harmonies, and the recurring line “no one came, no one came…” are all key ingredients for the chilling lonesomeness evoked by the song. Though the tone is indeed melancholy in some ways, it simultaneously radiates comfort found in the intimacy of the simple arrangement, creating a unique effect that is both heartening and chilling.
