Matthew Spreen shares ‘Unfinished-Love Songs’ EP

Hailing from Montreal’s indie-folk scene, Matthew Spreen has been crafting a sound that feels delightfully handmade and human. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, the progressive folk artist has spent the last seven years transforming simplicity into a kind of sonic philosophy that values imperfection, deeper meaning and intimacy over grand spectacle or commercial pursuit.

His music simmers between minimalism and emotion, between the quiet of a single guitar line and the vastness of what that space allows you to feel. At a time when digital perfection dominates, his endearing DIY approach feels almost radical and everything he releases, from recording and mixing to mastering and production, happens within the modest walls of his bedroom studio. The result isn’t lo-fi for the sake of aesthetic, but a deliberate embrace of something entirely real, capturing songs which breathe with the small imperfections that make art feel alive.

Across his catalogue, his work has been defined by curiosity and he writes prolifically out of necessity, chasing emotions and ideas that haven’t yet found form. Each new song feels like a new corner of his mind explored. As part of the multi-songwriter indie rock band KZZZM, he channels that energy into more collaborative, genre-bending directions, but under his own name, his music remains highly personal and always tethered to his desire to capture moments before they fade.

Calling himself a poet first, guitarist second, producer third and singer fourth, his hierarchy of creative expression says everything about his priorities. The words come first as reflections, questions and quiet realisations, his writing feels like private journaling left open for the world to read and that sense of unguarded vision runs through his musical output. Unveiling his solo artistic vision in November 2023 with the debut single “Decentralized Living,” he shares a flow of singles in the build up to his debut album, Lemonade, which arrived last month.

Now, his solo sonic outlet takes its purest form yet in his latest EP titled Unfinished-Love Songs, stripping his sound back to the bone and laying his heart bare. Thematically, it’s a dissection of love, of self, of the vulnerability that comes with being truly seen, but it’s also joyful, even playful at times, carrying a subtle context of acceptance that feels calmly triumphant. The five-track release starts with the delicate flicker of acoustic guitar notes on “Paths,” as Matthew’s warm vocals glide in to cast an intimate indie folk scene brimming with tender performance and gentle string flourishes.

“Apples” lands with the lively flutter of strummed guitar chords as metaphorical lyricism paints colourful pictures, offering a lighthearted jam of stripped back, pop-tinged folk music. “Forgot The Paper” flows with mellow lilting sway to form a dreamy folk scene where hushed vocal performance floats atop intricate acoustic guitar plucks and hazy instrumental textures, casting a mesmeric listening experience.

“Clementines” captures Matthew leaning into the lighthearted side of his musical vision with a cheerful foray into upbeat singer-songwriter music before “Ocean Of Love” arrives as a breezy finale to close his truly charing new EP. With Unfinished-Love Songs, he’s created a body of work that feels like a conversation, not between artist and audience, but between two people who’ve finally learned how to listen to each other.

Listen to Unfinished-Love Songs below