FAWM: "Arsonist"

Arsonist

2025 by @dasbinky

Liner Notes

In the offseason, I bought an Ableton Push 2, a fancy MIDI controller that integrates with Ableton Live. I've heard great things about the way it can change songwriting workflows by giving different views of the interface. This is first tune I wrote with it. I'm using it in a REALLY rudimentary manner, in very much the same way that every guitarist who buys a mandolin quickly writes a song with C, G, and F. (Actually, that's the progression here.) There's a lot of my traditional workflow baked into the production, but all of the writing was on the Push.

Lyrically, I've had this snippet lying around for ages, and I definitely didn't picture it in this context. Sometimes things call out in strange ways. I've started to realize over time that I enjoy writing from the perspective of losers who feel like they don't control their own destiny. I'll bring that up with my therapist sometime. I had a lot of fun with rhyming on this one, especially in the pre-choruses.

Vocally, this performance is brought to you by Lipton Tea and Melodyne. My voice is very much in active recovery from a January cold. Tea with honey helps in short bursts, but this was an effort.

#synthpop #pop

Lyrics

Can't figure out what I see in front of me Red hair, red lips Dark eyes smoldering

You're an arsonist And I'm afraid of fire

Cut me deep with your carving knife I love the way you bring me to life

Three bottles deep into Spanish wine Around your finger I'm entwined Everything's by your design And you've got me walking down the line

You're an arsonist And I'm afraid of fire Our hearts will burn and then I'll expire

You've taken away my perspective Left me emotionally defective I'm in awe of your luminescence And you make me feel my obsolescence All my sins you absolve And I start to build own resolve So I say stop but you begin And I feel myself giving in

It's time for me to give up the fight I'm at the stake and you've got the light

Look around my life's a shamble A puzzle that you've all but scrambled I know that you are worth the gamble Til you burn both ends of my candle

You're an arsonist And I'm afraid of fire Our hearts will burn and then I'll expire

Comments

@leslie 2025

This is so fun! It's all bouncy and happy while you're describing your own destruction. Very you. Love those drop outs before the big crashes. It's such a catchy tune. All hail, Melodyne!

@majordanby 2025

I loved the intro and wasn’t expecting the power of the ‘cut me deep’ bit where the song kicks in. Really awesome big sound that is reminiscent of Bob Mould. The synth twinkly bits sound so great. Massive track! Epic!

@junomat 2025

I love when non drummers drum. And you are the best. That bendy res down synth in the right channel is my jam.

Also cool that you let the guitar chords ring out. You don't hear that much. Bob Mould would be proud. Love your vocal performance - love that ascending pre-chorus vocal thing. Maybe your best vocal performance? Can I say that?

@gindark 2025

I was nodding along really quickly with this one! The college rock guitars worked in really well to the electronica's tinkle, gave it a great oomph! (Please substitute music theory terms here!) If this is first go, I think it's really impressive. Noting that the call and response of "You're an arsonist and I'm afraid of fire" is very cool.

@hbusse 2025

That break before the prechorus (I think?) and the huge downbeat, so nice! This has a bright poppiness to it, enjoyable listen. I like the hooky rhythm of the chorus too!

@greengrassgirl 2025

Exciting music! I love all the energy.

@lindarling 2025

I was just about to say your voice sounds extra good here! So keep doing that cold-followed-by-honey thing? Also, I really like this one.

@nancyrostMod 2025

The imagery and rhymes really pop with this arrangement. LOVE what you've done with the vocal stacking. The hapless-loser angle's enjoyable to me as a listener too, especially with the over-the-topness of it all.

@ericdistadMod 2025

Ah - dasbinky catchy goodness! The arsonist/afraid of fire hook is fantastic! Everything works really well! I particularly like the way you layered things with the synths and guitar!

Love it!

@subjectzero 2025

Love this! Glad to see someone else is using Ableton!

@bethkille 2025

Obsolescence!! This is super catchy. Love the pause before the second prechorus. And you sound fantastic!

@rowankingsbury 2025

Amazing beeps and boops, love the upbeat vibe with the lyrics, I can echo the comment about it havin Green Day energy. Nice!

@writeandwrong 2025

This totally gives me Green Day vibes! I’m loving the energy. The chorus is fantastic, memorable and sticks with you long after it’s over. Amazing work!

@tfish77 2025

Love that sparkly synth dancing over everything. As usual, your lyrics really embody your character's POV, your rhymes are right, and your harmonies are dope. Great guitar tone, too.

@sapient 2025

I have no idea how a Push would alter things, but this does sound proper good and big, so, er, I guess it works? Lyrically this is really tight. That chorus is a gem :)

@blainev83 2025

This is a lot of fun. Just wanna cruise to it. Awesome work. It’s a bop for sure.

@mikegtz 2025

This is kinda gorgeous Binky. Great indie rock stuff I think. The ending couplet is tres cool: "I know you are worth the gamble till you burn both ends of my candle."

@tcelliott 2025

Great job on the vocal, tools or not. I'm digging the music a lot. There's a lot going on but it all feels cohesive and well produced. Some great lines and imagery in here.