I know I said I’d write about Keaton Henson next, but a few days ago during one of my YouTube searches and one related video after another, I found Matt Lungley. I first spotted Matt after stumbling upon a cover of Video Games in which he was the guitarist. I was drawn to him because I saw sadness in his eyes. I took a listen to some of his music, and it’s beautiful. While listening I took a look at his website and read his bio, it’s very sweet. Having listened to a few of his originals on his YouTube channel, I bought his newest album, “The Last Fleck Of Life”. It’s all quite sad apart from the odd song.
His songs talk of medication, depression and insomnia (and other topics obvs) Horrible traits, but somehow it comes across so beautiful and I can relate to it
His songs talk of medication, depression and insomnia (and other topics obvs) Horrible traits, but somehow it comes across so beautiful and I can relate to it
He quickly became my medicine, as I didn’t feel lonely anymore.
His music reminds me of a cross between Elliott Smith and Neil Young/City and Colour.
Elliott because of the topics of songs, double tracked vocals and even some music similarities. His voice is so unique too. They both share that. Something about him rings Neil Young musically, maybe it’s the way he plays his guitar, I’m not sure. The crazy thing is, he also looks a lot like Nick Drake, and even Elliott at times, I noticed this when I read some of the comments on some videos of him. It’s so strange just watching Matt move, talk and sing, because you get these momentary glimpses of Nick’s smile and Elliott’s cheek bones or lips. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me being strange. Anyway, a more modern artist I’d compare to is City and Colour. If you followed my old blog you’d know how much I love Mr Green. Anyway they both share the same texture of voice, being airy, you can hear the air of the voice, almost as though you can feel it on your neck, this gives then gives shivers.
Elliott because of the topics of songs, double tracked vocals and even some music similarities. His voice is so unique too. They both share that. Something about him rings Neil Young musically, maybe it’s the way he plays his guitar, I’m not sure. The crazy thing is, he also looks a lot like Nick Drake, and even Elliott at times, I noticed this when I read some of the comments on some videos of him. It’s so strange just watching Matt move, talk and sing, because you get these momentary glimpses of Nick’s smile and Elliott’s cheek bones or lips. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me being strange. Anyway, a more modern artist I’d compare to is City and Colour. If you followed my old blog you’d know how much I love Mr Green. Anyway they both share the same texture of voice, being airy, you can hear the air of the voice, almost as though you can feel it on your neck, this gives then gives shivers.
So I found myself listening to his songs, he has many albums out. Spreading over 6 years, and there was I, thinking he was new on the scene. I can noticeably hear and visually see his music dampen over each release. Emotional Bruising is great too; it’s very bright compared to his latest release.
His song ‘Insecurities’ surely makes girls feel better about themselves and to ignore their distorted ideas of their bodies and imperfections. The message is that their eyes are playing tricks on them.
I then listened to his next release on YouTube at the end of this EP there’s a song called ‘Absorbing Ink’, a song about Insomnia, the tablets and feeling down. It contains the lyric: ‘Life’s so great as a wingless bat, he writes happy to shadow his life’ – meaning he only comes out at night but he can’t fly or get up…he writes fast songs to compensate his mood. I can relate to this a lot.
His song ‘Insecurities’ surely makes girls feel better about themselves and to ignore their distorted ideas of their bodies and imperfections. The message is that their eyes are playing tricks on them.
I then listened to his next release on YouTube at the end of this EP there’s a song called ‘Absorbing Ink’, a song about Insomnia, the tablets and feeling down. It contains the lyric: ‘Life’s so great as a wingless bat, he writes happy to shadow his life’ – meaning he only comes out at night but he can’t fly or get up…he writes fast songs to compensate his mood. I can relate to this a lot.
Anyway, I digress, back to his latest release and going into more detail about the topics I first mentioned above, his song ‘Never’ is soothing and healing. The topic rotates around depression, loneliness and insomnia. Things I’m familiar with…
‘No one deserves to be lonely, never a good night, never a good day, just waiting to be gone, I’ve been up for way too long’
For me the stand out line is when he mentions the medication…
‘I can’t remember the last time I stood up without leaning on my paroxateen’
Similar other songs openly talk about it also such as ‘There’s Nothing Here You’d Miss’, ‘Paying For Presence’ and the long titled ‘What You Have Isn’t Always What You Need’
‘I can’t remember the last time I stood up without leaning on my paroxateen’
Similar other songs openly talk about it also such as ‘There’s Nothing Here You’d Miss’, ‘Paying For Presence’ and the long titled ‘What You Have Isn’t Always What You Need’
Over each year/album, you can see and hear this darkness, which he has either developed/fallen into, or it’s always been there but it’s finally forced its way to the surface.
Either way, it’s nice to see an artist writing and singing about something real and personal, something a lot of people can relate to. Quite frankly I’m fed up hearing songs about how an artist is ‘In the club, living for tonight and the dance floor’ because they’re ‘Young and going to party until the sun comes up and goes down again’.
Finally, after hearing Matt I can listen comfortably knowing that I’m not alone…I’m glad I found Matt Lungley, he’s my new favourite.
Take a listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/MattLungleyMusic
http://www.youtube.com/MattLungleyMusic
Keaton Henson, next, I promise.
Shyann
Kisses