Sway & Breathe

Sometimes, you listen to a record and it becomes instantly special to you. This sort of connection does not happen often. When it does, we should all cherish it. I do not know whether this record has evoked that type of emotion (or will) inside of you but it definitely has all it takes to do so.

Matthew Ryan is an incredible singer-songwriter. He has done so many great records (Boxer, Regret Over The Wires). In Hustle Starlings, he joins forces with Brian Fallon (from The Gaslight Anthem) to create a raw and emotional sound. He bares his feelings and fears in songs that are gripping until the last second (e.g. (I Just Died) Like An Aviator). In this album, Matthew Ryan’s honesty and vulnerability simply hit you right in the heart. However, by opening up like he does, he achieves what most artists want: to make something that will resonate with people.

This album takes you on a journey. It is a journey of heartbreak (Run Rabbit Run, All I Wanted), regrets (Hustle Up Starlings) and second chances (Battle Born, Like An Aviator, Summer Never Ends). The mix of his raspy vocals and the stunning arrangements makes you feel every lyric even more. And if you are one of those people who love writing down song lyrics in your notebook, there are plenty worth copying in this LP.

On a dark lit night
In the throes of another fight
I heard a song made me feel alright
Made me wanna explode into light

[Battle Born]

Music is the most magical thing. It never fails to stun me how incredible it is that someone else’s words can fit perfectly into your life. There is so much beauty in Matthew Ryan’s new record. If you haven’t yet, give it a listen and make it part of your story.

The album is available on Bandcamp.