As we take a step into Matthew Spreen’s otherworldly aural universe, it’s hard not to be instantly hypnotised, or at least confused. The project’s production style resembles collage art: thousands of small fragments of sounds lined up in a seemingly eclectic and casual canvas, together building a luscious and hazy sonic wall, always unique and peculiar. ‘Cheer Up!’ is the perfect evidence of that, a deep dive into progressive folk and dream pop shores.
Taken from Spreen’s forthcoming debut album, the single showcases the strong DIY ethos behind the Montreal-based project. Using a plethora of samples ranging from old machinery to real instruments, Matthew builds a compelling musical painting, one that’s further enhanced by his own vocals, here embracing a particularly frail and vulnerable tone. That said, the piece never descends into melancholy or sadness, instead keeping a certain positivity, at least on the surface.
From a lyrical standpoint, ‘Cheer Up!’ feels both introspective and expansive, a quaint musical poem delivered with tender charm and unapologetic playfulness. As we are told, the album is a “playful and creative odyssey in spite of its destructive and ominous themes”, a quirky yet effective description that perfectly illustrates the functional dialism that underpins Spreen’s complex artistry. In a way, he’s merely sharing his own view of the world, and in such fragile times, that is a beautiful thing.
Recommended! Discover ‘Cheer Up!’ now: