‘Arcades’ is the perfect name for Richard Frenneaux’s bright synth-pop single, which shines with the blinking and neon lights and buzzes with the activity of a good old-fashioned gaming arcade. It’s the nostalgic innocence “those halcyon days of summer”, as the former frontman of post-punk band Red Light Company says. Yet, there’s a bittersweet taste to this well-crafted pop song. As Frenneaux further illuminates: “There is that optimism which comes with youthful expression. This quickly turns from carefree to dysphoria and you discover that you’re doing it to yourself.” While the instrumentation is punchy and gritty, the Brisbane songwriter’s lyrics sit in a dreamy world of self-reflection with thoughts like “Running around feeling the pain of life, / Just to get aside from the boy inside, / Ready to cry, / Still holding on, / Just to get right with the man you want to be.” It’s a powerful first release for Frenneaux’s solo project and we can’t wait to hear more. - Hannah Thacker