17. April 2026
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Media Review

Arkells – Between Us

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Arkells - Between Us

Arkells - Between Us
4.1

Rating

 4.1/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Nice range of songs
  • Strong vocals
  • Very fluent, enjoyable listen

The Arkells celebrate their twentieth band anniversary this year. What’s a better way to celebrate that than releasing a new album as well. On 17th April 2026, they published Between Us. I had to have a listen to their eleventh studio album overall.

 

Arkells – About The Artists

The Arkells are a Canadian alternative rock band. They have been founded in Hamilton, Greater Toronto, in 2006. The band is a quintet consisting of Max Kerman (vocals, guitar), Mike DeAngelis, Anthony Carone (both guitar), Nick Dika (bass) and Tim Oxfort. Apart from Carone, all musicians are founding members. The Arkells have already released ten studio albums. All of their first five studio albums at least received a golden record domestically. The most recent album by the rockers is the 2024 Disco Loadout, Volume I.

 

Arkells – Between Us – Track by Track

The eleven track album lasts 40 minutes.

1. Next Summer

If we could get back
To September
Sweater weather, a new time to begin

Summer vibes, a catching upbeat melody and the vocals by Max Kerman – the album definitely starts with good vibes. Not that surprising that the Canadians chose this one as a single release as well. I enjoy the vibes and look forward to the remaining album.

2. What Good?

With What Good?, the band is not only increasing the speed of Between Us. The song comes with a very present beat, strong indie vibes. Quite a different style compared to the opener, but the happy vibes and the catching style stays. Arkells makes me move to the fast beat of the song.

3. Ride (ft. GROUPLOVE)

Overall, four previously released songs open Between Us. This one, Ride, has been recorded together with the Los Angeles alternative rockers Grouplove. The song feels a bit more laid back, but also more fluent. The additional musical elements, especially Hannah Hopper as female vocalist, add a nice touch.

4. Money (ft. Portugal. The Man)

Another US alternative rock band is part of the next song, Money. Portugal, The Man are originally from Alaska, but are nowadays based in Portland. The song rather focuses on synth sounds and groovy elements. This makes the song feel more virtuous and experimental. The chorus, however, is bringing back the ease of the first three songs.

5. Imagine Barcelona

It needs five songs and an – imaginary – trip to Spain to present the first unreleased song on Between Us. A very casual style song, which especially impresses with its keyboard lines in the chorus. Some more sun and summer feelings while listening to this release.

Imagine Barcelona
I see you sitting in a cafe, sitting in the corner
Meet you in the morning
Take you for a stroll when you want to get going
Kept a little lie until we saw it come true
Wouldn’t come for anybody, but I’m coming for you
A diet Coca-Cola
And we’re heading out for dinner ’cause we got no food

6. Desire’s Got Some Questions

The curtains closed, turn off your phone
No one knows where we are
A secret spot, a teenage love
But we skip the clumsy parts

After the rather uptempo beginning, the slow pace of Desire’s Got Some Question leads to quite a change in the style of the album. The song definitely adds a very different mood to the listen, but the piano ballad style cannot deny its beauty. Any summer night comes to a slow and cozy end. Luckily, we are just in the middle of Between Us.

7. Universe Talking

The seventh song increases the indie vibes of the album. It opens with a groovy guitar melody. There is quite a lot going on on the percussion side of the song. Still it’s a nice one to dance and party – the beat is just a bit slower.

8. Two Hearts

The first moments of Two Hearts feel to connect well to the predecessor. However, the Arkells increase the pace for Two Hearts. A nice, harmonic indie pop-rock song, which is surrounded by stronger songs in the context of the album.

9. What’s On Your Mind (ft. Poolside)

For the single release What’s On Your Mind, the Arkells worked together with Poolside. The nu-disco band from Los Angeles definitely leaves their signature in this listen. This song is made for the dancefloor. A fun one with electronic elements and a cool groove.

10. Rumour

Rumour is already kicking off the last tunes of Between Us. The song feels dramatic and embraces quite a bit of the elements the album featured before. The chorus feels a bit of nostalgic to me, without feeling outdated. An interesting one, which is not necessarily the best listen of the album.

Do you wanna start a rumour with me?
Look into the future and see?
Can’t hear a word anybody says
Unless I’m talking ’bout you and what I’m gonna do next
Like a computer, high-speed
Feeling like a user in need
Can’t hear a word anybody says
Unless I’m talking ’bout you and what I’m gonna do next

11. Escape Door

You leave the album through the Escape Door (at least regarding the title). The song begins like a melancholic piano ballad. The somehow sad style stays, but once the guitars and the drums join in, it also reveals its rock music heart.

 

Arkells – Between Us – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Arkells – Between Us – My View

Between Us is an interesting album and a good listen, which offers slow, emotional moments as well as party tracks. The Arkells deliver a good one, driven by the strong vocals of Max Keman. I absolutely like it.

Favorite Song: Imagine Barcelona

 

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