‘Particles’ is exactly the sort of album we’d like to receive. It’s immediate and evocative, but also layered and rich in sonic texture. It’s the perfect balance between unfiltered authenticity and peculiar, inventive production, a statement that could also well summarise the talented creative behind the record, American singer-songwriter Matthew Spreen. Hailing from Montreal, Spreen champions a strong DIY ethos, approaching his compositional workflows in a rather unique manner.
You see, Matthew records all of his tracks using the same microphone and location, alongside a two-channel Tascam and a twenty-year-old acoustic guitar. That’s part of the magic; the other half of the process sees the Canadian visionary indulging in tender post-production, enriching songs with a tapestry of samples and an eclectic array of instruments, or also keeping it raw and minimalistic, when needed. ‘Particles’ is the perfect evidence of that, a stream of dreamy folk goodness that transcends strict genre labels in favour of an ever-evolving sonic imprint.
A brooding, vibrant album, ‘Particles’ appears to oscillate between hopeful euphoria and introspective restraint, a quality that invites a lyrical chiaroscuro, so to speak, a space that is malleable and purposeful. As we are told: “A playful and creative odyssey in spite of its destructive and ominous themes. All of these layered nuances decorate the core songwriting, which personifies uncertainty, irony, hope, disdain, oppression, hypocrisy, human connection, and change.” We can stand behind that,
Recommended! Discover ‘Particles’ now: