We’ve been teasing British-Greek collective Arthur Squawks!‘ debut album since the summer, and now it has arrived. Here’s what we think of Hospital.

By Graeme Smith

Feature artwork by Socrates Fatouros

The London and Athens based art-rock band have impressed us so far with two single – July’s hard-hittng Down and September’s melancholic Killing Time. Both singles, and the album from which they are taken dwell on the band’s frontman Adrianos Pandis’s experience in the cancer ward of an Athenian hospital.

The project is more than just an album, however, and includes mixed media offerings such as poems and graphic notations. The album’s striking artwork, for instance, was made by Adrianos’s close friend Socrates Fatouros, and is titled Your Head On The Ground.

It all hangs around a story that runs the emotional gamut from dark lows to rousing highs. Byzantine Night (intro) starts things off with an eerie, discombobulating effort reminiscent of Pink Floyd and from there we are treated to twist followed by turn.

Mama show me the way is a wistful Velvet Underground-esque acoustic number that dreams of expansive California and cultural New York City. Touch and go shakes off the cobwebs with a driving post-punk moment. The aforementioned Down rounds off the early listening, proving a highlight through its textured psychedelia.

Killing time sits at the heart of the album, giving us a gentle, heart-breaking meditation. Barbara is jangly and bittersweet. Doctor simmers during the album’s rockiest moment. A reprise of Byzantine Night brings the passion before Six long years (mama, hold on! it’s alright) closes the album with a gentle, spoken word reflection.

Arthur Squawks! is an act that wears its influences on its sleeve while also bringing plenty of originality to the world of music. Their new album will find fans among lovers of the classics and modern alternative.

Hospital is out now and you can give it a listen below.