Ontario’s Arm’s Length excel through their sheer, unflinching authenticity. The band’s second album, ‘There’s A Whole World Out There’ – arriving 16th May 2025 via Pure Noise Records – doesn’t just continue the raw confessional style that marked their debut; it elevates it into something more nuanced, more accepting, and ultimately more profound.
Their path wasn’t necessarily an obvious one. After the success of debut ‘Never Before Seen, Never Again Found’, it could have been tempting to dramatically reinvent themselves. Instead, Arm’s Length chose to dig deeper into their existing foundations, refining rather than rebuilding.
“I just wanted to expand and zero in on the themes we explored on the last record,” explains vocalist and guitarist Allen Steinberg. “I wanted it to be an evolution of our sound but in no ways a departure.” This approach speaks to a band focussed on honest expression, even as they push their sound into more expansive territory.
The writing process marked a departure from their previous work, with Steinberg taking a deliberate step back from the usual pressures of band life. “I completely checked myself out from the stress of touring and didn’t focus on anything besides the record for a few months,” he recalls. “I found myself completely immersed in the world I made for this record, which was extremely fun and rewarding.”
This immersion shows in the resulting twelve tracks, which navigate personal struggles and mental health with a deft balance of gravity and grace. The album’s construction occurred relatively quickly, with Steinberg noting, “I wrote the majority of the record in May to September 2024. Then we were at the studio for four weeks at EMAC studios in London, Ontario, recording!”
What emerges is a collection that feels both more confident and more vulnerable than their previous work. The contrast is perhaps most evident in ‘You Ominously End’, where country and folk elements interweave with weightier themes — a juxtaposition that came naturally to the band. “I think this is just a result of wanting to create music that inspires me,” Steinberg reflects. “I listen to a ton of folk and indie stuff but also just as much heavy music, and I find that Arm’s Length likes to walk that line a lot.”
The album’s creative process remained largely centred around Steinberg’s vision, though the whole band’s contributions prove essential to its realisation. “I write all of the lyrics, vocal melodies, song structure and guitar for our songs as well as weigh in on a lot of rhythm parts,” he explains. “I think having my finger on the pulse of all aspects of the songs ensures everything is tight and thematically cohesive.” Yet he’s quick to credit his bandmates: “This being said, Jeff, Jeremy and Ben are all incredible musicians, and I couldn’t have done this without them. Jeff took huge steps in how he approached this record and I think it’s evident how much he has improved. Jeremy held down the bass, and Ben sang his harmonies beautifully.”
The writing process itself remained deeply personal, with Steinberg noting, “Although all of these songs are about people and troubles that inspire me, at the end of the day, I write everything as a way to process my own grief. Listening to these songs back is extremely satisfying, and creating all of them was cathartic.”
What sets the album apart is its sense of acceptance rather than mere acknowledgement of personal struggles. As Steinberg notes, “I think this record is written with more ‘acceptance’, and that’s palpable in the tone of voice and is evident in the ways the songs are written. There is a sense that I’m going to actually have to deal with these aforementioned traumas in one way or another rather than just being entangled in them.”
Among the twelve tracks that comprise ‘There’s A Whole World Out There’, Steinberg holds special pride for the album’s closer. “I’ve been saying this a bunch, but the last song on this record, ‘Morning Person’, is the Arm’s Length track. I am so beyond proud of that particular song and hope people latch onto it the same way I do. I can’t wait to play it live.”
Looking ahead, the band’s ambitions remain grounded. “I truly just hope people can relate to this record and that it helps them in some shape, way or form,” Steinberg shares. “It would be amazing for our music to continue impacting people. Physically? We really want to see more parts of Europe, Japan and Australia.”
As for future musical directions, Steinberg sees multiple possibilities. “There are parts of me that want to do more folky stuff, but also parts of me that want to lean into the heavier stuff more than ever with Arm’s Length. We’ll probably continue doing both.” He even hints at potential solo work, noting, “I’m thinking of starting to work on solo music because I love acoustic singer-songwriter music so much, and I think the track ‘Early Onset’ is an example of how that would sound.”
The immediate future, however, focuses on bringing these songs to life on stage. “We’re really focusing on the release of this record and touring a bunch,” Steinberg explains. “We have a headlining tour in May with Prince Daddy & The Hyena; album release shows in June with Charmer, and then a super fun unannounced Fall tour!”
Arm’s Length have created something that rings true precisely because it wasn’t written to please anyone but themselves. ‘There’s A Whole World Out There’ isn’t just a statement of growth – it’s a testament to the power of accepting one’s struggles while continuing to push forward.
Arm’s Length’s album ‘There’s A Whole World Out There’ is out 16th May.
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