Arkayla have released their latest single, and to be honest, a few seconds after ‘DOCTOR‘ kicked in I forgot about the sweltering weather outside and mentally transported myself to a packed hall at Manchester Academy, where Arkayla are firing up the crowd with a raw, live sound.

Manchester loves its guitar stories, yet this quartet brings a fresh spark: they play signature indie rock with the neon pulse of the night city. Frontman Cal Blakebrough steps straight into the spotlight with a ringing vocal and a direct message. The band clearly have a story they’re ready to share with the world. Arkayla manage to shock with electricity and warm at the same time. A tight riff locks onto my pulse and refuses to let go, the drums push forward.

In terms of arrangement, ‘DOCTOR’ stands on two pillars: a gripping guitar pattern and a juicy bass line lifted slightly higher than usual. The space immediately expands, and I can feel the stage floor tremble beneath me even through headphones. The details hit hardest. After the crash of cymbals, a faint echo lingers, the vocal rides a barely noticeable reflection, the stage suddenly sinks deeper, yet the overall sound remains light and transparent.

Cal lets out a measured rasp, his voice alive but never tipping into a torn shout. The sound is neatly assembled and nothing feels clamped — the band set their own loud-soft rhythm, so even in the noisiest moments ‘DOCTOR’ stays clear and unrestrained.

In the track, I catch shades of Catfish and the Bottlemen’s early records and Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ era — that same street-level directness filtered through Manchester grit. Arkayla don’t imitate. I recognise their style in the emphasised bass, the sharp guitar snap, and the honest lines that land like a personal confession within arm’s reach.

I’ll be playing ‘DOCTOR’ again to travel the route from its quiet intro to its powerful finale. That’s how playlist favourites are born. Put this single on when you need an energy boost and a fast way to gather your thoughts.

*Promoted content. All information provided is prepared in accordance with editorial standards and is intended to offer useful insights for readers.