Matthew Dunn - Echoes

​Matthew Dunn

Echoes
​self-released; 2024

​​By ​Dino DiMuro

Matthew Dunn of Cardiff, Wales is one half of the transatlantic synth rock band Dark Ghosts. Starting in 2021 he also began releasing his own music, and his new alternative rock solo album is titled Echoes. 

With no sidemen listed, I’m assuming Dunn plays pretty much everything here (he has some help with lyrics, mixing and mastering). Dunn says his musical influences and favorite artists include Jason Isbell, Noel Gallagher, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. The ten songs here were selected from many contenders and were recorded between March and June of 2024. My first impression of his music is that he’s very much interested in a commercial approach, so that the songs feel new yet familiar at the same time.

​The very first thing you hear on the opening track “Tempest” is a fuzzy ZZ Top-style guitar riff, but the song itself is a more expansively-produced track than that gritty trio rock would create. Several other guitars (including acoustic) enter the mix, along with piano, rock organ, multiple harmonies and drums (digital? I can’t tell!). I was carried away by the verses but the chorus is an absolute killer, the stuff of Number One Hits. “Among These Ruins” features lyrics by Jamie Dunn, and has a more piano-based rock sound. I keep trying to nail down who this song reminds me of, and the closest would be that forward-driving quality of Bob Seger crossed with the sincerity of Jackson Browne. The guitar solo fits perfectly without being unnecessarily showy. “The World Spins” is based on a big acoustic guitar sound combined with cello and mellotron-like string pads. The chord structure and drumming is almost minimalist but Dunn builds his vocal performance brick by brick on this solid base. 

I’ve been looking out for the aforementioned Bruce Springsteen influence, which is tricky because Dunn’s voice is much different from the Boss. Musically “Zugzwang” resembles the E Street Band with its focus on keyboards and jangly-rocking guitar. Lyrically it’s a song about feeling lost and alone (more lyrics by Jamie Dunn) but I can’t figure out the title! “Echoes” is the album’s namesake track and as such is presented with special care. The acoustic guitars chime sweetly, the piano is clear and robust and the vocals fully confident. If this is truly Dunn playing everything, he’s done a remarkable job pretending to be a studio band!

“Photos of Jesus” is a track title that jumped right out at me (maybe you too?) and it sent my imagination reeling. Turns out it’s a song about finding yourself (or a renewal of love) after a devastating loss. “These photos of Jesus gather dust on the shelf / I’m ready for whatever comes next / When there’s no love lost, I’ll fall in love with myself / A self once again.” The bittersweet harmony vocals, majestic guitars and somber orchestral pads add up to a striking track. My favorite for sure! “Broken Dreams and Shattered Hearts” is a rollicking rocker with piano again the most prominent instrument, like Ben Folds’ piano pop or (again) Bruce and Jackson Browne. In “Abyss” I was reminded of the close-mic vocals of Billy Corgan, with the piano even more prominent (come to think of it, Corgan also loves using keyboards) and layers of digital strings. 

The concluding “Symphony of Colours” adds the color of acoustic guitar as the lead instrument, with the choruses bringing in all Dunn’s star players (piano, organ, monster guitars) from the previous tracks. It’s another excellent, triumphant track, though maybe a bit similar to the previous few. 

Overall this was quite an impressive full-band effort from a very single artist. More than worthy of checking out!

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