Two New EPs - Matthew E White & Parquet Courts

MATTHEW E WHITE / OUTER FACE 

                        &

PARQUET COURTS / TALLY UP THE THINGS THAT YOU BROKE

These two releases fit together for several reasons. Despite being music made from different cloths, both are supporting EPs released in October, which follow on from critically successful debut albums at the start of 2013. Both albums to this day are two of the year’s best releases. What they lack in similarity they share in quality. Both are American and are rather unknown to the masses at the moment, though they should clearly be finding larger audiences in the imminent future. The EPs are another step forward and a nice stop gap to end what has been a wonderful introductory year to the world, and cause those who know of the magic on these two act’s records to await their next move with eager anticipation.

So, to the first EP... Matthew E White has seemingly come from nowhere, released a debut album that verges on ‘classic’ and become a cult figure for hairy outsiders and other oddballs everywhere. His soft tones have you leaning in, to try to get closer to the songs, and by the time you have fallen in you have been consumed by a sound so sweet and songs so well crafted, there is no return, and it would not be sought in any case.

Matthew has a tender voice, even a little too low in the mix at times, hiding how well he can or cannot sing, but it works in the context of these tracks, and it is a trick he has quickly mastered. The standard of song writing is what surprises. Before his releases this year he has worked with other musicians, on Avant-garde jazz projects and production for other acts, but his talent to build structures of songs that sound both simple and complex and fit strings and backing vocals so perfectly into these tracks again elevates them to another plateau. It's shocking how good he is at this for the most part. The way ‘Human Style’ slips beyond the defences, into the mind and seduces the listener is a thing to behold, and it isn’t far from the case with the rest of his songs, both here and on the debut LP, ‘Big Inner.’ In fact, the album and EP have been packaged together now, as one release as well, and with 12 songs in total, that is one feast for any fan of impressive new music. Many of the songs are long, they unfold, they curl around you and consume you, and you can’t shake them loose. Once inside these songs your life has changed forever.

The strings are a journey back in time, some of the female backing vocals harp back to classic Motown and there is nothing any less than tender, grandiose and majestic here. This music is soothing and sensational. A special artist has arrived.

As for Parquet Courts, there is a ramshackle quality that rather than cause a feeling they may not harness and direct their potential the band is already aware of and somehow able to get the most out of. Take ‘The More It Works,’ for example, it sounds messy and improvised at the same time as being perfectly planned and executed. The guitars swing back and forth as they do, like a maze of pendulums. It all sounds smash ‘n’ grab, the dynamic sound of youth, the thrill of the ride, the potential, and the spectacular destruction. The way the repetition of the song's title enforces the statement is staggering. By the middle of the song, the screamed words 'the more it works' soon give way only moments later to a more tired take on the same message, until by the end of the song, increasingly weary, the singer sounds like he is falling drunkenly asleep muttering those very same words.

These songs may initially sound throwaway to some, but they are guitar rock songs with a pop edge that cause a rush. It’s one of those bands that instantly hits the nail on the head. Much as the band’s debut the songs here are fun and make rock ‘n’ roll seem both young/new and old at the same time. It’s an effortless game, pulled off with some charm and the band offer the sense that they aren't a one trick pony. Time will tell. This is music to get drunk to, to have fun to, to fall in love for the first time to, or simply put a smile on the face; couldn’t ask for much more really.

Fine releases to top off splendid years for both artists, and highly recommended.