Arsenal Mills head back to the ’80s with their new power ballad The Bleeding Heart — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The nostalgic rocker about love and loss serves as the Charlottetown band’s sophomore single — thought it almost didn’t come to be, they say.
“The Bleeding Heart was never meant to be an Arsenal Mills song, strangely enough,” lead vocalist and guitarist Brad Milligan explains. “It began as a song I had written for someone special in my life, so I was planning on keeping it for myself. But it was a little too raw. I’m not usually one to write ‘love songs,’ but The Bleeding Heart isn’t your average love song. After showing it to the band, we collectively realized it was worth working on and perfecting.”
It became the latest preview of the emerging P.E.I. band’s forthcoming debut EP Lovesick & Broke, following on the heels of their summer single of the same name. “Lovesick & Broke helped us find our sound as a collective,” lead guitarist and vocalist Griff Arsenault says. “It paved the way for the rest of the album. The Bleeding Heart is an ’80s-inspired ballad for those craving a nostalgic vibe, and features little, unexpected moments, which I just love in songs.”
Bassist and keyboard player André U continues: “It creates an interesting, contrasting image. It’s one of those songs that sounds very positive and energetic yet, at the same time, the lyrics are the opposite. The Bleeding Heart has lyrical depth, melodies, and harmonies aplenty, and I feel is a truer representation of what we will become.”
Adds drummer Josh MacNeil: “Lovesick & Broke is one of my absolute favourite songs to play; there’s just such an unmatched, fun energy to it. The Bleeding Heart joins it — it’s such a blast to perform. The two are a really great showcase of our versatility and how we made our vision a reality.”
Check out The Bleeding Heart above, watch Lovesick & Broke below, and follow Arsenal Mills on Facebook and Instagram.
