Coyote
Matt Mays
Sonic Entertainment Group
Four years ago, Matt Mays and his former band El Torpedo collaborated on the 2008 album Terminal Romance. Now, after a four-year hiatus, Mays is set to release his new album Coyote early this September. For those who enjoy Mays’ laid-back yet fervid alternative style, it was definitely worth the wait.
Mays credits the album’s title to his love for animals in a press release on his official website. He says, “I’ve always loved animals that are beautiful but dangerous […] it’s a good analogy for life.”
Not only does the coyote exhibit his affection for fur-clad friends, he equates the species, which is native to North America, as sharing, “a proper home for all of his experiences.”
While this album release will be the first glimpse of music from Mays in awhile, he hasn’t disconnected from his personal music creations. In fact, he set out on a journey to discover new sounds that would inevitably translate into the production of his upcoming album.
If Mays’ desire was to induce his fans in an eclectic collection of music styles that would epitomize his journey of musical inspiration, then he was indubitably successful.
The album begins on a note that complements his style, an easy reintroduction for his fans. “Indio” is the consummate choice as the first song since it introduces Mays’ aforementioned coyotes and the “ride free” ideology he has recently inhabited. The song is an appealing intertwine of vocals and instrumental, highlighting Mays’ eminent rollicking rock style.
Mays’ first single, “Take it on faith”, is the first and only taste fans have had of Mays’ latest music. The song, which has debuted in the Top 40 on alternative charts in Canada, presents Mays’ vocal capabilities in a fashion similar to the style of fellow Canadian artist Sam Roberts.
There are no established expectations from song to song as one works through the album. Mays’ desire to adopt and implement a variety of musical styles and genres is apparent as the album alters from folk to rock to alternative and back around again.
“Drop The Bombs” gives its name gratification as the album transitions into an eccentric, chaotic collection of instrumental that escalates into an enticing vibrancy as the song moves forward. Similarly, “Rochambo” and “Madre Padre” add an upbeat virtually electronic atmosphere to the album, incorporating an array of the unique sounds Mays attributes as the foundation of his musical journey.
Mays finds his climax of folk-type music in “Queen of Portland Street” with an amalgamation of soothing harmonica notes and upbeat melodic lyrics.
His final song, “Chase the light” emphasizes Mays’ vocals and is lyrically fitting as a closing piece to an album regarding journeys including the lyrics “searching for something” and “I’ll chase the light.”
Coyote attests to Mays’ exponential musical growth in both genre and influence. His journey, “into open space […] to live in the midst of a world where anything could happen” has translated flawlessly into his album and is an attest to his adaptability when it comes to music.
