Matthew Santos - Seven Years
- Written by Julia Lamb
Meet Matthew Santos, the two-time Grammy nominated artist with a voice so unique it’s gained him personal praise from big-league names such as Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Eddie Vedder and Jay-Z.
But after a whirlwind journey in the limelight that took him to all corners of the globe alongside Lupe Fiasco, Santos has taken a dramatic turn from the 2007 platinum selling ‘Superstar’ and returned to his indie folk-rock roots. His latest single, ‘Seven Years’, comes off Santos’ 7th official album Into The Further, set for a summer 2015 release.
‘Seven Years’ is organic, soulful, and intricately woven together. The track grooves on a bed of slinky bass and shuffling percussion; each instrument colours the canvas with its own rich, vibrant brush stroke. Opening with ethereal, effects-laden guitars, ‘Seven Years’ suspends in mid air for its first 50 delicate seconds, before ushering in the rhythm section and shifting gears. The song flows with heartbeat-like naturalness, guided by a pulse so captivating it pulls you in with quick sand force.
Santos drives the track into growing intensity with each spirited guitar strum and a voice so reminiscent of Jeff Buckley it’s scary. The similarity between the two lies in the daring, bare-all vocal style that breathes passion with every chilling quiver. Every so often Santos also throws his unique style of beat-boxing into the mix, adding another compelling dimension to the already elaborate landscape.
Matthew Santos has produced a track to make people sit up and listen - this time in a realm entirely of his own.