Review #32: Matt Stoll ("Better Than Me" / "Anxious")

-

Review #32

Artist: Matt Stoll
Singles: "Better Than Me" / "Anxious"


     So I've got two singles to discuss this time around, one is called "Better Than Me" by Hinder. KIDDING, so kidding. Very, very kidding. 

     In actuality, these two singles are written by Long Island singer/songwriter, Matt Stoll who now proudly has 4 singles under his belt since 2019. (Feels so long ago, doesn't it?)
Self-described as a blues rock/ soul musician, Stoll genre-bends these songs quite well mixing what feels like pop, blues, indie rock, and pop punk all in one. 

His most recent single is from April, 24th 2020. "Better Than Me" (not Hinder) features fellow singer-songwriter, Sam Pollet and enjoys a chipper indie-vibe with smooth bluesy guitar (played by Gianni Gambuzza) at the lead. Sam's voice compliments Matt's very well, and creates a tone that reminds me of songs written by a newer-gen pop-punker named, Chase Huglin. Together, these two produce fantastic harmonies which keeps the song enticing to the ears throughout. Plus the punchy and dreamy chord progression in the chorus gently reminds you that this is still a rock song, 
and thankfully not by Hinder.  

Going back in time slightly, let's touch on "Anxious", another single from Matt Stoll's little 2019 trilogy. Described as a story about a toxic relationship, this song holds a much darker vibe than its 2020 follow-up. It plays and feels like a Manchester Orchestra ballad, gaining heavy momentum at just the right moments. Pain echos through Matt's voice when he holds onto notes which I feel is very appropriate when combined with the aggressive lead guitar remaining true to it's bluesy roots while dancing delicately around some harder rock characteristics. 

Both these singles were beautifully mixed, mastered, and produced by Frosted Green's friend, Nicholas Starrantino, who was featured on Hit Record, FG's own original series about record producers. You can hear all four of Matt's songs on Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. Hopefully once 2020 allows, some live versions of these tracks can be heard as well!

- Ryan Hanratty
Frosted Green Productions

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review #31: Freddie Bourne (The Troubled Boy at the Bonfire Disco)

-
Image
Review #31 Artist: Freddie Bourne EP: The Troubled Boy At The Bonfire Disco  Freddie Bourne has yet to cease to amaze me.      While I know it's been a minute since Frosted Green's last review, you may recall that  I also took a listen to Freddie's previous release, "Vulnerable Commercialism " (listen to it here ). That less than typical live EP in my opinion, felt like a very refreshing look into what goes on  in the mind of the modern-age singer-songwriter. Well now he's back again to flip the tables!      "The Troubled Boy At The Bonfire Disco" is the musical love-child of Ed Sheeran , Coldplay , Mashmellow , and Avicii . Yeah I know, strange baby. It's really good though!      As I began listening to this EP I was met with about what I expected ... at first.  On "I Hope You Don't Forgive Me", there is forty-seven seconds of very pretty and professionally produced finger-picking and...
Read more

Review #16 : Freddie Bourne (Vulnerable Commercialism )

-
Image
REVIEW #16 Artist: Freddie Bourne Album: Vulnerable Commercialism There is a lot to enjoy on this release, but the three most important things are that it is unique, it is heartfelt, and it sounds amazing. Freddie Bourne is a solo singer/songwriter from Jackson, NJ who shows off his professional vocal and piano skills in this new live EP called Vulnerable Commercialism . Being his fourth release, Bourne clearly felt like it was time to try a different approach to releasing new music. These new songs were recorded infront of a live audience in what seems to be a very intimate setting. Not knowing where the show took place I think enhanced the listening experience for me. I spent a lot of my time listening, trying to place where the performance could possibly be. My brain for some reason placed him in a hotel bar, but I mean a good one. Not like a Holiday Inn , but like Hilton or something fancy! Okay, I’ll stop now. I’m clearly showing that my wallet has not taken me...
Read more

Review #20 : Blue Vervain

-
Image
Review #20 Artist: Blue Vervain Song: Cycle     Sometimes less is more, and Blue Vervain’s debut single, Cycle does a great job of giving listeners a slight taste without giving away the new band’s entire vibe.     After listening to Cycle a few times, it’s easy to understand why BV felt this was the right choice for their grand unveiling. This song is merely a wonderfully done tease of what is to come. It’s brief, it’s interesting, and it dives into a variety of sounds.     While there is a chance that the full album, Wounds, dropping September 6th, may sound nothing like this single, I still think Cycle is a solid choice in the sense that it’s progressive simplicity sparks curiosity. What I found in this song is a well blended mixture of genres. The beginning, well the first half of the song really, feels very much like a track produced by an artist living in the new singer-songwriter age. This odd area in music, in some scenes has ...
Read more