2025 has been shaping up to be the biggest year yet for rising Ontario emo band Arm’s Length. They kicked off the year by opening the Silverstein/Thursday tour, and now they’re gearing up to release their second album and first for Pure Noise, There’s A Whole World Out There, on May 16, surrounding their own sizable headlining tour. After that, they’ll represent emo’s current generation as one of the genre’s only newer bands on this year’s When We Were Young lineup.
Today, Arm’s Length shared the second single from the album, “You Ominously End,” a powerful song that deals with a loved one surviving a suicide attempt and also a rare emo song to incorporate banjo. Singer/guitarist Allen Steinberg says it’s “about the shame and isolation of dealing with mental illness, especially when you feel unable to check in on loved ones who are also struggling. When writing this song, I focused on capturing that isolating experience through vivid storytelling. The tragic theme of the song is contrasted by country/folk elements, creating a jarring effect. This contrast makes it one of our personal favorite tracks by Arm’s Length.”
Read more: 9 bands commonly mistaken as emo who really aren’t
“You Ominously End” follows the equally great lead single “Funny Face,” which Steinberg calls a song “about how discouragement from a trusted loved one can shape who you are as a person and your overall outlook on life,” and adds, “Lyrically, I wanted to illustrate the narrative of being entangled in a toxic codependent relationship, whether romantic or familial.” The two songs come with videos directed by Alex Scalzo-Brown, and you can check out both below.
Shortly before the album’s release, Arm’s Length will begin a headlining tour with direct support from their Pure Noise labelmates Prince Daddy & the Hyena, as well as Riley! and Bike Routes. After that, they’ll play five album release shows with support from Charmer and Wakelee. If you’re excited about the Arm’s Length album, you’ll probably also want to keep your ears peeled for Charmer’s upcoming album Downpour (whose new single “Arrowhead” was one of our A-sides playlist last week). Find all upcoming dates below.
There’s A Whole World Out There tracklist
1. “The World”
2. “Fatal Flaw”
3. “Funny Face”
4. “The Weight”
5. “Palinopsia”
6. “The Wound”
7. “You Ominously End”
8. “Early Onset”
9. “Genetic Lottery”
10. “Attic”
11. “Halley”
12. “Morning Person”
Arm’s Length 2025 tour dates
with Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Riley! and Bike Routes
May 2 – Columbus, OH – King of Clubs
May 3 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe at Old National Centre
May 4 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium
May 6 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
May 7 – Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s
May 8 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
May 10 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
May 11 – San Antonio, TX – Stable Hall
May 12 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
May 14 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
May 15 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
May 16 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
May 17 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry
May 18 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
May 21 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
May 22 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony
May 23 – Amityville, NY – Amityville Music Hall
May 24 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
May 25 – Buffalo, NY – Electric City
with Charmer and Wakelee
June 9 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
June 10 – Cleveland, OH – The Roxy
June 11 – Toronto, ON – AXIS
June 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Ukie Club
June 14 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
October 18 & 19 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young