Archways – “Victoria”

Archways just dropped their new single “Victoria”, and it’s probably their boldest move yet. The London-based five-piece has always leaned into that dreamy, art rock energy, but this one hits harder, faster, louder, and way more intense. The groove grabs you immediately, and the guitars come in crunchy and confident, sitting right on top of a rhythm section that somehow makes dystopia sound danceable.

What I love is that “Victoria” doesn’t try to sound like anything else out right now, the whole thing started from a piano riff, which you wouldn’t guess at first listen, but you can feel how that idea evolved into something layered and huge. The swing-style drums give it this momentum that never really slows down. And the way they drop into a brighter chord halfway through, it’s unexpected and kind of perfect.

The band says it’s about sacrifice and control, viewed through the lens of a Victorian woman, but even without digging into all that, it’s just a super fun listen. It sounds like a track from a band deep into their career, not a group still on the come-up. If you’re into discovering artists before they blow up, keep an eye on Archways. Follow them on socials to catch whatever else they’ve got lined up for 2025.

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