Shimmering shoegaze textures, propulsive bass, and vocal-forward emotion shape a four-track EP built for reflection.
“I wanted to create a body of work that maintained the same genre, the same feel musically…It is a massive challenge for me to make my songs similar in sound and genre. I feel this urge to change styles and move around creatively but at some point I needed to pick a lane and stay in it for at least a little bit”
MatAre
There is something quietly captivating about pressing play on a MatAre project. With Brevity, the four-track EP from Atlanta-based artist Matthew Rousseau, that feeling settles in almost immediately. A mainstay on our site for his artistic prowess and refusal to settle, Rousseau once again writes, produces, and performs every note here, joined by Glen Welman on drums, and the result feels deeply intentional.
The opening title track, “Brevity,” begins with an introspective guitar passage that gently pulls you in before lush synths and shimmering tones begin to bloom around a quintessential propulsive bass line. The verse floats on that bass groove, Rousseau’s ethereal vocal hovering just above it. There are nods to 80s new wave and shoegaze textures, yet it never feels derivative. Guitars bounce across the stereo field, reinforcing an immersive depth that rewards close listening. It is comfortably familiar yet refreshingly new, setting the tone perfectly for what follows.
“When Alone” brightens the palette without losing the atmosphere. A head-bopping groove carries the track forward, while carefully placed notes and phrases stretch wide across the mix. An atmospheric synth punches through midway, sending you into a hazy, dreamlike drift, while a rumbling bass keeps everything grounded just enough. The production is not just polish; it is storytelling, used with precision to elevate every melodic choice.
“Do You Think They’ll Talk About Us?” serves as the emotional anchor. Inspired in part by The Pixies, it leans into grittier tones while preserving the EP’s dreamy core. The minimalist verses spotlight Rousseau’s vocal over steady bass and drums before an earned, dynamic chorus shift. The lyric, “and I will find you in a different sky, and I will find you in a different time,” perfectly captures the EP’s sense of distance, nostalgia, and forward motion. Subtle vocal doubling and layered harmonies near the end add a compelling lift, showcasing his range and control.
Closing track “When The Sun Falls” accelerates the tempo, returning to shimmering textures and ethereal vocals. The chorus guitar riff mirrors the melody, shaping an infectious hook that lingers.
Across Brevity, Rousseau channels the shoegaze-inspired sweep of Catherine Wheel in his textured guitars and immersive soundscapes, while embracing the emotionally resonant approach of M83, where the vocals sit confidently at the centre of the mix. The result is a cohesive, atmospheric body of work best experienced through a good pair of headphones, where every layer invites stillness and quiet reflection. My Music Mixtape
All quotes and images provided in artist press material
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