There is a constant battle in my life to find new music that meets a certain criteria. Clearly one of those is to be able to just kick back and listen, drink in hand and enjoy what you’re listening to. Another is to be able to listen to on the train, whilst the world goes about it’s business.
But finding music that can do that is hard, not least because of the sheer volume of music that gets released every day and sieving the wheat from the chaff, finding something you will listen to again and again is never easy. So I make use of anything I can to help that and in this case thank goodness for Biblify and it’s Spotify reviews.
Matthew E. White is a new name to me and I’m sure to everyone else as well, having up until now only had one solo release and his new release Big Inner, was only available in the UK from 21 January, to coincide with a limited UK tour. He had previously been heard on psychedelic country-rockers the Great White Jenkins but they clearly passed me by as they did many others I suspect.
This album is clearly very personal. It draws on his life, his loves and ultimately the message is that love conquers all. There is a haunting melodic feel to his voice, almost soulful at times and he uses instruments to great effect, brining in guitars at just the right time and keyboards when needed. The second track, Big Love, is the one that captured me and made me listen again (and again as it happens) with it’s use of overblown wind instruments and vocals.
There are some clear influences on the album – Randy Newman springs to mind and his Southern roots come through, coming from Virginia as he does, along with a sense of spiritual having been raised by Christian missionary parents. But the overall mix of sounds is just good to listen too and kick back, drink in hand. His voice is rich and at times haunting, but always clear. This is an album that will be in the car and listened to on the train for some time and it’s been a great find.
I do hope it’s successful and we get to see the songs performed in the UK over the festival season. Have a listen to the Big Love here and then go and get the album. You won’t regret it I’m sure.
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