Matthew Reid's Tall, Dark, & Ugly by Matthew Reid may be his last. That’s what he at least declares on his Bandcamp page, He is still a young guy at twenty-six and actually I remember thinking a similar thought when I was closer to his age. Truth be told musicians usually get an itch to make more music after some time has passed but either way this album is not a bad way to go out - at least for a awhile.
The production varies from song to song giving the album a mixtape type quality. Reid opens with “The Pulse (Prod. By Gum$)” which is a dark, moody track. It’s dark and moody but also smooth. The rapping style is energetic compared to the beat and instrumentation which works wonderfully. On the hook Reid sings “Yeah, and that's how it goes / the brand new joint and then you hit the flow.” “Everytime (Prod. By kooliedscope)” deals with myriad topics including achieving commercial success, and adverse effects of medication and anxiety. The beat is on point here. “The Losing Doctrine (Prod. By Matthew Reid)” seems to be a brutally honest reflection on his dreams, failures and the future. The production on “Pink Pen (Prod. By Blanck Mass)” was the most experimental and synth heavy on the album. I was actually reminded of the music you might hear from a band like Chvrches. The groove on “The Interlude II (Prod. By ATCQ)” brought up memories of Tribe Called Quest especially when it came to the jazzy instrumentation and drums sound. “The Still (Prod. By NBbeats)” is another highlight where Reid brings up everything from his appreciation to Kendrick Lamar to his struggle with his inner demons. The soundscape here is dreamy and atmospheric. “Key To The Box” was a solid way to end the album. Reid brings with it a sense of levity and acceptance. Matthew Reid's Tall, Dark, & Ugly contains his best work yet. I loved the honesty. The songs came off as heartfelt and it seemed obvious to me that his lyrics felt indicative of his personal experience. At the end of the day that's an admirable way to let it rest for some time.
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