I don’t usually review entire albums, but Mathien has gone and made an album so good that I have to write about each song. Sincerely came out on October 31, 2019 and each song is so different from the last, I was enthralled. I had to listen to it over and over and over again.
The first and titular track is a 50s ballad throwback. A song that would feature in the most tender moment of a Cary Grant film. A vocal track that would stun Elvis Presley, and a gorgeous horn arrangement from Soulfood Horns. “Sincerely” was gripping, and then it led to the second track.
“Somebody Lied (feat. Maggie Vagle)” is the second track on the album. Some lofi vibes from the start, “Somebody Lied” is probably my favorite track on the album. This song is contagious. The beat, the chorus, the guitar, the organ – YES!
“Kinda Man (feat Aaron Paris and Soulfood Horns)” begins like all old school songs, with some string sounds and a harpsichord – classic R&B song, amirite? – but the song is solid. It’s got some Otis Redding meets Jack Johnson vibes, a catchy chorus, a beautiful acoustic guitar, and another awesome horn arrangement.
“(Turn Around) Young Man” also reminds me of Jack Johnson. A great melodic hook in the guitar part, and a catchy chorus melody. Short, sweet, simple. If you only listen to one song on the album, I’d probably pick this one.
“Lucky Stars (feat. Charlie Coffeen)” is a song I’d love to see in an Earth, Wind, and Fire size ensemble. It deserves a huge group to sing it to the stars.
“Here Comes the Rain Again (feat Soulfood Horns)” has the most intense drum beat on the album, but it has the simplest chorus, which makes it easy to get caught in your head for hours.
“Prelude to Ology” is the final track on the album, and one of my favorites. Loads of samples. A beat that moves you. A guitar part that Quentin Tarantino would use in the opening to his next blockbuster film. There’s so much going on in this track, it’d be hard to write it all out, but trust me when I say, listen to this album now.
You can find Mathien on bandcamp, Spotify, twitter, instagram, facebook, and his website.
You can find more songs I love on the homepage.