Dream Pop from MatAre

Coming out of the Atlanta indie rock scene, artist Matt Rousseau operates under the artistic banner of MatAre to bring to life his musical vision, shaped by a diverse musical experience and a nomadic lifestyle. Previously exploring dance music production under the alias Vibal during the Orlando Breaks era, MatAre has since shifted from crafting vinyl releases cherished by collectors to exploring a broader sonic vision.

Now he takes cues from iconic bands such as Depeche Mode, The Sundays, Fleetwood Mac and The Cure, allowing him to blend genres and incorporate various instruments into his songwriting. MatAre’s journey as a musician reflects his ability to stitch together different musical styles and draw from his experiences living across the United States.

This fusion of cultural and musical influences shimmers throughout his sound, making it shine with authenticity and emotionally-charged themes. His music comes straight from the heart and covers real emotions, hardships and events from his life, creating a powerful and relatable connection with his audience.

First introducing the MatAre moniker in 2020 with his self-titled debut EP, he followed up with his first full-length album, Patternicity, last year. Continuing to share more singles while racking up hundreds of thousands of spins on Spotify alone, MatAre has been winning over fans and tastemakers around the world on his exciting musical adventure while still playing frequent live shows across Atlanta and North Florida.

Now he brings us his latest release with the brand new single titled “Forever Light,” recorded in Fort Walton Beach, Florida with the drums tracked in South Africa by revered drummer Glenn Welman and additional production and mixing by Gabe Wolf in Los Angeles, known for his work on Kurt Vile’s album Bottle It In. This international collaboration has resulted in a stunning new dream pop single that stands out in MatAre’s discography.

“Forever Light” thematically revolves around the idea of faith and spiritual exploration. Although MatAre is not a religious or spiritual person himself, the song reflects the perspective of someone in his life who holds strong faith. While crafting a dreamy indie aesthetic, MatAre infuses the song with an uptempo rhythm driven by the gentle snap of drums as jangly guitar tones and warm bass lines set up the perfect backing for his airy vocals to float above.

Presenting a hazy sound that strikes the perfect balance between swaying rhythm and mesmeric sonic quality, MatAre’s poignant lyricism is delivered via elegant performance. Served up in a brisk two and a half minutes, this immersive and charming song is sure to have you reaching for the repeat button as MatAre lays down another dazzling slice of delightful music that impossible not to love.

Listen to Forever Light below

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