EP Review: Matt Maltese - ‘Krystal'
An anonymous creative once said, “I only write when I’m falling in love, or falling apart”. Matt Maltese’s ‘Krystal’ embodies just that. It’s thirty minutes jam-packed with songs that speak of love, loss and a great deal of self-discovery.
Matt Maltese, your resident cynical romantic, witty and charismatic but always a little melancholic, has mastered the art of writing songs that make you listen up. Every song on his sophomore album ‘Krytsal’ is striking. Either lyrically like the very cleverly titled interlude ‘Intolewd’ that in only 1 minute 20 perfectly describes the feeling of falling in love very slowly and then all at once; or sonically like ‘Jupiter’, his love song for astronauts, that quite literally is out of this world; or both as title track ‘Krystal’ proves with its positively addictive chorus that combines beautiful harmonies with hard hitting statement “I forget if I ever loved anyone else”.
With intoxicating vocals and a talent for sneaking sarcastic one-liners into serious sad songs (listen out for “haha, welcome to grieving” on ‘Rom Com Gone Wrong’), Matt is a true treasure. Sonically, the album covers everything from the dreamy haze of synths and vintage vibes, over more car ride friendly material to the full depth of sad sad piano ballads. Emotional centerpiece ‘Curl Up And Die’ is completely and utterly heartbreaking but just as impossible to resist. It’s best listened to at night, when emotions seem to roam more freely, staring out into the vastness of space mourning every love you’ve ever lost.
‘Krystal’ is an album for hopeless romantics, for cry-babies and everyone who would describe themselves as a “typical cancer”, whether that’s referring to their sun, moon or rising sign. It’s a record for people who love love and those who get physically sick every time they’re forced to watch a rom-com because though emotional, Matt Maltese is never cheesy.
Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven
See Matt Maltese on the following tour dates:
Nov 16 - Cardiff - So Young Magazine All Dayer, Clwb Ifor Bach (TICKETS HERE)
Nov 25 - Leeds - Hyde Park Book Club (HERE)
Nov 26 - Manchester - YES MCR Pink Room (HERE)
Nov 27 - London - The Dome (HERE)
Nov 30 - Bristol - Rough Trade (HERE)