Those who continuously follow particular music genres know that the global scene has reached a point where artists and bands are reinventing the same old wheel. Whether exploring various musical influences or simply trying to mimic something the greats invented decades before, they’re becoming a part of cliché. Thankfully, there are musical outlets like MatAre who always deliver fresh, unique, innovative, exciting music, worth spinning over and over again. With “Extinction Burst,” the second and latest full-length album released today, this incredible act brings a fresh perspective on multiple genres at once. Matthew Rousseau, a singer,songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer behind this extraordinary music project, gathered several collaborators who brought this album to an entirely new level. First, we have Francesca Pratt, a profoundly talented drummer who brought more than necessary groove, depth, and dynamics onto this comprehensive collection of catchy, memorable, and engaging songs. Second, Gabe Wolf, whose impressive mastering and producing skills elevated MatAre’s tremendous ideas and outstanding musicianship on an entirely new level. These collaborations between brilliant minds resulted in a magnificent album, where you keep focused from the first composition to the last one without skipping anything. For those who somehow missed out on previous articles about this project, MatAre combines various techniques, different approaches, and many complementary music genres in order to depict a lush sonic imagery. Perhaps new wave comes to mind first, but there are many fundamental elements of synthwave, synth pop, indie rock, alternative, and post-punk, lurking around and uplifting this material to new heights. “Attach Your Memories,” an impressive introductory piece, exemplifies MatAre’s dedication to the craft. It’s one of those songs that immediately wraps around the listening apparatus, grabs you by the collar, and guides you through the expansive sonic universe based upon elegant synth leads, catchy chord progression, intricate basslines, and energetic beats. It also indicates what you might expect from the remainder of the album. With “I Could Kill You But I Love You,” MatAre levitates between modern indie rock and eighties new wave with such precision and finesse, bringing more orchestrations that will immediately appeal to even the pickiest listeners. These are the moments where the artist showcases his impressive songwriting and composing abilities. “Never-Ending” follows the same route, but it seems like this particular composition dives even deeper into that eighties indie and new wave sound. There are moments where interplays between guitars shine in the limelight, with reverby leads, themes, melodies, and other sonic maneuvers colliding with equally impressive chord progressions. Of course, the rock-solid rhythm section makes this track even more pleasant to the ears, with those warm-sounding low-ends providing more than necessary power while Francesca Pratt’s collection of well-accentuated and flawlessly performed beats offering groove and dynamics.
With the next song, MatAre explores the post-punk and goth rock sound. “Learned Helplessness” is more than a masterpiece, but a pure example of Matthew Rousseau’s tremendous dedication to the craft. There are layers upon layers floating around and crafting a calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal ambiance. It’s nearly mindblowing how all these layers articulate without overwhelming each other, proving that Gabe Wolf has done an amazing job. “That’s What People Do,” The Further That They Go,” and “Slicing Knives” follow the same formula, but each track delivers a completely unique ambiance, making these songs such a great addition to this material. The entire barrage of more or less clean or distorted guitar works and a generous serving of effects such as echo, reverb, and delay bring that widely recognizable post-punk/goth rock sound. Still, MatAre also incorporates many new wave moves into these tracks, making them as unique as possible. Each composition has its unique structure, marked with many profoundly detailed vocal, sonic, and rhythmic maneuvers. Each vocal harmony, strum over the strings, basslines, and rhythmic pattern counts, crafting soundscapes that will stay with you long after this album ends. And even when you think this collection of songs couldn’t sound any better, there are songs like “Forever Light” that assure you MatAre has even more tricks in his pocket. The combination of delicate keys, synths, and guitar works crafts a colossal yet gentle wall of harmonious sound. The dominant, intricate, warm-sounding basslines serve as a counterweight, bringing more power to the song while binding everything together. Once again, track like “Here’s Where Your Story Begins” showcases Francesca Pratt’s drumming abilities, with all those rhythmic sequenes that complement all the guitar and bass works. Every hit of the snare, kick of the bass drum, accentuation, and splash over the cymbals counts in this sonic equation, making this track even more complex yet so easy-listening. “Do Whatever You Can” leans much more towards an alternative rock sound. At some point, you’ll notice similarities with the greats like The Chameleons or maybe The Stone Roses, yet this composition channels classic MatAre’s signature moves with such precision and finesse. “Revolution” combination of electronic and analog beats, adorned with even more beautiful, reverby chord progressions and warm-sounding basslines. It’s one of the finest new wave tracks off this album, and it shines with its minimal yet somehow expansive sound. This epic sonic journey comes to an end with a title track, a perfect closure that sums up the brilliance of such an incredible artist. It carries slightly slower rhythmic patterns, profoundly detailed synth works, reverby chord progressions, and immensely powerful basslines. This track differs from the remainder of the album due to its slower pace, but it arrives as more than a necessary piece because it prepares the listener for the closure. Also, it definitely invites you to spin this masterpiece all over again.
Matare crafted an album that will stay with you for years. It’s fully packed with catchy, memorable, meaningful, engaging songs that vividly showcase his songwriting, composing, arranging, and producing abilities. His knowledge, experience, creativity, skills, and talent shine through every vocal harmony, synth lead, chord progression, intricate bassline, and beat, proving that even the long-loved music genres such as new wave, synthwave, post-punk, and goth rock can still sound fresh, unique, innovative, and exciting. “Extinction Burst” is an impressive full-length album that deserves a special place in your record collection. It’s one of those albums you surely don’t want to miss. Head to your favorite streaming platform and check it out.
Thoughts Words Action 