Arkells Release “What’s On Your Mind” Featuring Poolside, New Album ‘Between Us’ Out Now
Arkells have built their identity around a simple, consistent idea: everyone is welcome. Whether playing arenas, clubs, or intimate gatherings, they position themselves as a modern “house band” for shared experience—soundtracking both life’s biggest celebrations and its more difficult moments. Their music reflects that mission through an eclectic, accessible blend of alt-rock energy, classic soul warmth, indie edge, singer-songwriter intimacy, and contemporary R&B polish, creating songs designed to feel instantly familiar and emotionally inclusive.
That approach has helped them become one of Canada’s most prominent rock acts, with major success on radio, multiple JUNO Awards wins, and cultural reach spanning festivals like Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, as well as sports broadcasts and video games. Despite their scale, they maintain a strong sense of immediacy and connection, approaching every performance with renewed energy and a “we understand the assignment” mindset that keeps their shows feeling urgent, communal, and alive.
“We wanted a song that felt hypnotic—where the chords don’t move much, and the rhythm and melody do all the heavy lifting. It’s my favourite thing about seeing dance music live: how it can loop and loop and loop, and the longer it goes, the better it feels. We went deep into synth-world on this one. We toured with Poolside and saw the power of repetition. What restraint can offer to the crowd. The patience of building a song with the groove dictating everything. The song was just about finished when we asked Poolside to add some shine to it all. Our music has ended up in all kinds of places, and we hope this ends up on some dance floors.”
Arkells, 9X JUNO Awards winners, have released “What’s On Your Mind” (feat. Poolside), a hypnotic, synth-driven single that continues to expand the sound of their new album Between Us. The track leans into disco-inspired repetition and groove-focused structure, blending indie pop-rock with chillwave textures courtesy of Poolside. As the fifth single from the album, it highlights a broader shift in the band’s approach—favoring atmosphere, rhythm, and restraint over traditional chord-driven progression.
Frontman Max Kerman describes the song as an experiment in looping, inspired by the immersive nature of dance music and the influence of touring with Poolside. Produced by John Congleton, Between Us has already explored a wide sonic range across earlier singles like “Ride” (feat. GROUPLOVE), “Next Summer,” and “Money” (feat. Portugal. The Man), while recent live performances and visual presentations—such as their JUNO Awards set in Hamilton—underscore the band’s ongoing evolution toward more experiential, community-driven music and performance.
Make sure you check out “What’s On Your Mind” on Spotify below and on your favorite streaming platform!
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Who am I? Just some guy who decided to start writing on the Internet years ago and now operates his own brand and site. Owner/Operator of Modern Neon Media, I make all kinds of niche content to suit my interests at the time. DIY Enthusiast, Brewmaster extraordinaire, and avid freak for geek culture. Follow on my socials for a more “on” version of me.
