If there’s one thing we should praise MatAre for, that would be the frequency and quality of his releases. The Atlanta-based musician and songwriter has been very consistent for the past few years, releasing several singles and even a couple of albums. We last wrote about the project’s latest LP in September 2025, celebrating ‘Extinction Burst’ for its eclectic blend of darkwave and alternative indie allure. At the time, we were pleasantly surprised by the depth of influences and musical knowledge that’s foundational to the album; MatAre is an observant fellow, a peculiar connoisseur of anything shoegaze, post-rock, and post-punk.
Following up on what we just said above, ‘Brevity’ EP fits the bill rather perfectly, marking yet again another powerful release from the American troubadour. Packed with four spacious and dreamy pieces, the record veers heavily towards shoegaze, taking a vested interest in early M83-esque allure and forgotten British bands such as Catherine Wheel. Basically, MatAre moved on from The Cure and towards sunnier territories. The new EP is not that melancholic: on the contrary, it’s quite hopeful and lovable, yet still carrying an immense amount of escapism and blissful character.
The opener title track is a joy to listen to, with spacious guitar riffs mirroring the underlying vocal melody and creating a rich sea of reverberated textures. MatAre’s vocals move with grace and intent, fully embodying their newly-found dreamy quality. Delving deeper into the ethos behind the record, the talented creative explains: “I’m less interested in chasing moments and more interested in capturing the feeling of being inside one. ‘Brevity’ and the rest of the EP songs are about stillness, distance (from home), and the quiet clarity that shows up when everything FINALLY slows down.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Brevity’ EP now: