The enormous scope and availability of music technology in today’s world mean that, with the right equipment, active imagination, and enough know-how, a musician can replicate or create almost any sound they like. Matthew Nowhere is indeed such an artist, but the thing I admire most about him is that, given that the future is a blank canvas to paint endless, new sonic designs upon, he looks as much to the past for his reference points as he does the present. He understands that there are still plenty of sonic gems to be uncovered by mining the seams of influence and inspiration laid down by those early eighties synth and tape-driven pioneers.
“Transforming,” a collaboration with iconic dreamgazers, Lunar Twin is a taste of what’s to come from Matthew Nowhere’s debut album, Crystal Heights which drops on 23rd May. And it sounds delicious.
Blending traditional analog production with digital deftness, it’s a track full of liquid sonics, shimmering synth waves, numerous poised, interlocking riffs and polished beats, gorgeous electronic textures, and cascades of creativity. It is groovesome and dance-driven, sitting equidistant between the uptown dancefloor’s neon sheen and the more underground world of the delicate and discerning, not to mention accessible and infectious, post-punk influences.
In it, you hear the echo of formative synth warriors – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and early Depeche Mode easily spring to mind – but also less expected creative touches such as Leonard Cohen’s vocal growl and New Order’s blending of rock and dance.
It’s a song referencing the past, perfect for the present, and laying down a cool template for one possible, brilliant sonic future. You can’t ask for more than that, can you?
Transforming’ feat. Lunar Twin
Crystal Heights album order
Echoes Still Remain video
Bandcamp
Spotify
Love Is Only What We Are video
