Nathan Mathes – Anajune Rival

What sits upon the heart and soul of a tried and true singer-songwriter? Perhaps melodies set to words are only the beginning to an imagination that transforms the simple into a complex tune. Bringing seven releases forward to the creation of indie-folk artist, Nathan Mathes, latest Anajune Rival– certainly sends the notes taken down into a light of permanence. Anajune Rival paints a scenario open to dialogue of interpretations. Nothing grounded in state for the listener, but nonetheless a formidable predisposition Nathan shows his skills and craftsmanship for his art. An independent artist through and through as Nathan Mathes keeps his music where he feels most comfortable- in his own surroundings. The land of the ‘Cheese Heads’ Green bay Packers and a perfect place to bring forth his own alternative sound, Nathan Mathes set his sights once again and conjured up an electric work of folk songs.

Lilting yet stunningly memorizing Anajune Rival opens with “An Offer I Can Take” and his own style of playing his instruments and recording set a walk down an old dirt road through a forest of green, with lighting bugs flying around. “The Long Run” carries a bit more of a ‘pop’ sound. “Double Windsor” starts with an ease of piano, reminiscent of an old Bob Dylan sound. The upbeat tempo of “In The Morning and The Cast Remembers” lifts the stomping of the foot in time to the beat and shaking tambourine. A gospel sounding piano fills “Leave Your House and “Time Wide Awake” seems to be a restless number of untold things. Holding a story all to themselves, the heartbeat and soul spin in “That’s My Girl In There.” Yet, once more the album, Anajune Rival spills with ease over into “Baby Wants To Meet.” Taking an easier stride and more of a melancholic sound Nathans vocals bring “Bantam Boys” home. A lean towards a more rock indie sound that brings the elements of this whole album into what Nathan is so capable of is, “There’s A Marble Arm,” not to be the end, but leaving the listener wanting more Anajune Rival concludes with “Come On After All” a brilliantly executed work of art between electronics and piano the opening leads a dream state of spaceman flight into the outer stratosphere as this instrumental breathes its own essence. 

Anajune Rival solidifies the mastery works that Nathan Mathes has so ingeniously put into place. As he knows his instruments and they in turn know him to be their director. Simply so far one of the best indie-folk- rock albums of 2016. True, and honest to his own craft and working within his own zone of knowledge and control Anajune Rival is a must in the music collection categorized under just AWESOME MUSIC. Controlled passion and deliberate maturity of be enveloped in Nathan Mathes newest release: Anajune Rival.

*All songs were written, performed, and recorded by Nathan Mathes. Nathan worked with Andy Thiele on mixing and the mastering was completed by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering.

Nathan Mathes – Album Review: Anajune Rival

URL: http://nathanmathes.com/home.html

Front and back cover photo art: Ellen T. Arena