Rivers

Matty has crafted something outstanding once again. I really enjoy the magnificent instrumentation on this EP; there are these fantastic stretches without lyrics that provide me time to truly reflect on what the tracks are making me feel rather than focusing solely on the lyrics which is something I often get caught up in. I would describe the tone of this EP as exquisite melancholy; there is a somber feel to it which inspires study and it feels calming to listen to.

Matty is a stupendous entertainer as well being an awesome singer-songwriter. I am often a silent viewer of his live streams they provide great ambience as I go about my day.

Catch one of those streams here on Twitch. Also find more of Matty’s magnificent music on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and support his work on Bandcamp if you feel so inclined.

ЯIVERS

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ЯIVERS 〰️

The Dance

If I had to pick a favorite track from this EP it would be this one. Not only did I enjoy the lyrics from the very first listen, it also caused me to dwell not only on the lyrics but what I was feeling. There are these brilliant moments without lyrics which provide a space for deep contemplation. It had been a bit since a song hit me as this one did. There is a story being told here and it is told in such a precise manner. 

“We Dance, Dance slow

Taking a hand, Where do we go?

We move, move aside

And the world spins around as we both collide

We fade, fade away

No longer in time, like we were yesterday

We stay, to weather it all

And we breath through the cracks, in a world too small

We turn and we spin as the lights grow dim

And our eyes burn bright with romance

We try to hold on but soon we'll be gone

And the end comes around, to the dance.”

Within these lyrics I see a tale of a relationship from beginning to end. It begins with “Taking a hand..” and after who knows exactly how long could be days, months, years we get to “No longer in time, like we were yesterday. ” Eventually the story ends and who knows exactly why, it could be drastically different depending on the headspace of the one reading. The ending could be a breakup as they “try to hold one but soon we’ll be gone” but perhaps one of the individuals passes away and that is what ends it. I thought up many different possibilities. In my mind it is expert poetry; I have had many different thoughts as I have listened to it again and again.

Wildfire

I have thoroughly enjoyed this track since I first heard it. I believe I said something about back in 2020 when the single was released but I couldn’t track that post down, it is quite possibly I am misremembering. What I get from “Wildfire” is the importance of truly being yourself rather than what anyone expects of you. Trying to portray something that is merely a facade can only last for so long. Once you make that discovery you “become more than a person, become more than you’ve been told” this can be a very difficult thing to do and it is quite a relatable struggle to go through. All of us I am sure had/have things that we were/are worried about sharing with those around us but you really don’t fully realize the weight you are carrying until you let it go and “breath alive the Wild-fire, and burn, burn bright.”

Lost in the River

As I was listening to this track while writing it made me think of the journey of life. Perhaps these experiences that are being recalled are from a time when I naively thought that I could control far more of my life. As I lived longer I came to realize that there is only so much you can do, only so many plans that can be made and those who cling to these stringent plans often appear very stressed out. While it certainly helps to have direction and goals in life; in the case of this song that goal seems to be the sea, it is also important to be able to move with the current and the ebbs and flows that our life takes. Just because you find yourself wandering down the river of life it doesn’t necessarily mean you are truly lost. Sometimes you may head down a part of the river that is treacherous and difficult but leads you to somewhere you otherwise never would have found. You may even crash your vessel a time or two but it’s not the end of things. You can get a new vessel or perhaps just swim for a bit. Who knows where your journey will take you the important thing is that through all the winding paths you discover ways to find happiness as you venture forward.

“Lost in the river, heading to the sea

We’re lost in the river that flows on its journey

We’re lost in the river, don’t know which way to go

Lost in the river taken by the flow”