Arrows In Action - I Think I've Been Here Before (Side A)
- Samuel Stevens
- 38 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Arrows in Action have always had a knack for wrapping emotional candour in irresistibly catchy hooks, and with I Think I’ve Been Here Before (Side A), out now via Nettwerk Music Group, the Nashville-based trio delivers their most confident, colourful, and sonically expansive work to date. Clocking in at six tracks, this first half of their ambitious two-part album is a jubilant celebration of growth, nostalgia, and the subtle magic of second chances.
Produced by longtime collaborator Dan Swank—whose polished, radio-ready touch is felt in every gleaming riff and shimmering chorus—Side A marks a distinct tonal shift for the band. Where 2023’s Built to Last leaned more into alt-rock grit and emotional turbulence, Side A beams with optimism and a fresh sense of self-discovery. This is Arrows in Action at their most open-hearted and adventurous, leaning into brighter melodies, uptempo rhythms, and a pop-rock glow that feels tailor-made for long drives and late-summer festivals.
The opening track “Celebration” sets the tone with an explosive sense of joy. It’s a fist-in-the-air anthem that feels both earned and effortless, reflecting the band’s journey from DIY beginnings to a global fanbase. The song pulses with the euphoria of making it through hard times, landing squarely in the territory of All Time Low meets WALK THE MOON.
“Feel It Again” dives headfirst into bittersweet nostalgia, where emotional scars and fond memories coexist in a dance of tentative hope. With its soaring chorus and lines like “What’s the worst that could go wrong?”, it perfectly captures the album’s central motif: looking back without regret and embracing the urge to try again—whether it’s love, life, or passion reignited.
“Hello Sunlight!” brings pure serotonin in musical form. It's bright, bouncy, and unapologetically pop-leaning, showcasing the trio’s chemistry and tight musicianship. The sun-drenched guitar tones and infectious groove feel like a morning after the storm—fresh, clean, and full of promise.
The standout moment arrives with “Light Like You,” a gorgeously written ode to fleeting connection and romantic idealism. Victor Viramontes-Pattison’s vocals radiate warmth and wonder as he recounts an almost-love that changed everything, if only for a moment. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to make big emotions feel intimate and real, and the song’s wistful, dreamlike quality is nothing short of spellbinding.
“Lost in the Moment” keeps the momentum high with crisp percussion and a hook that feels destined to be screamed back by festival crowds, just like the previous track. It’s the kind of song that reminds you to savour the present, even when it’s fleeting.
The album's closing track, “Déjà Vu,” brings everything full circle. With layered harmonies and swirling instrumentation, it explores the strange comfort of repetition, of seeing familiar signs in unfamiliar places. It’s a fitting bookend for a collection of songs that’s all about revisiting the past to reclaim the joy we might’ve missed the first time around.
With I Think I’ve Been Here Before (Side A), Arrows in Action have crafted more than just a set of feel-good anthems—they've distilled a feeling. The songs are both deeply personal and widely relatable, rooted in the kind of optimism that only comes from having been through the darkness and choosing to dance in the light anyway. This is the sound of a band who knows exactly who they are—and who they’re becoming.
If Side B continues the arc with the same emotional intelligence and sonic vibrancy, I Think I’ve Been Here Before could very well cement Arrows in Action as one of the defining voices of modern pop-rock.