Communion Records own Matthew Hegarty (AKA Matthew And The Atlas) has released an exquisite new single ‘Palace’ from the upcoming EP of the same name. The track marks a return to his earlier stripped back Americana, placing the songwriting and Matt’s remarkable voice at the forefront.
I love Matthew Hegarty’s voice. “Elijah” is probably the most stripped back , acoustic track on Matthew and the Atlas’ latest album “Temple” and is easily perhaps my favourite track on the album as well. I love the finger-picked guitar over the swelling piano and orchestral elements and the subtle backing vocals. But most of all I do love Matt Hegarty’s voice .
This is an exceptionally fine new album from Matthew Hegarty (his last 2014 release ‘Other Rivers’ was a winner too!) It looks/sounds like there might be something a bit conceptual going on here, what with the mysterious artwork and all but metaphysical intentions aside this is really terrific album. The artwork for Temple is a painting named – “Site of Special Interest” – by the British artist, Ben Risk, who was subsequently commissioned to create new paintings that will form artwork for later singles from the album. Says Hegarty, “The image is of an old hunting lodge in the Scottish highlands, vividly splashed with red on a barren landscape and I loved how that worked with the title of the album ‘Temple’.”
There are eleven songs in the set and Mr Hegarty sings them all solidly and reliably. He has the kind of voice which very haunting the song ‘On A Midnight Street’ before considering anything else; not because it’s the only decidedly uptempo number in the collection but because it the type of song that lifted my soul.
There is a spirit of Bruce Springsteen in the work,the melody and chugga-chugg rhythm but that association aside it’s the purity and honesty of the thing which makes me love it even more.
Matthew Hegarty (aka Matthew And The Atlas) is a British songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and was the first artist to be signed to the Communion label. Another week, and another stunning acoustic track from Matthew and The Atlas. This time around it’s ‘Gutter Heart’ offering a much more personal insight into the work of Matthew and The Atlas. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for an acoustic track from the album ‘Temple’ being released every two weeks. Underpinned by a subtle breeze of electronica, Matthew Hegarty spills his oak-aged vocal over every expertly-crafted inch of the track.
The warm, lush, atmospheric songwriting of Matthew & The Atlas isn’t something easily shrugged off.
New album ‘Temple’ is an emotive affair, with the sharp, crisp, defined production.
We’re thrilled to announce Temple, the new album from Matthew and the Atlas. It will be released on April 22nd and is available to preorder now.
The artwork for Temple is a painting – “Site of Special Interest” – by the British artist, Ben Risk, who was subsequently commissioned to create new paintings that will form artwork for later singles from the album. Says Hegarty, “The image is of an old hunting lodge in the Scottish highlands, vividly splashed with red on a barren landscape and I loved how that worked with the title of the album Temple.”
The album art then became part of the genesis for a photo series of abandoned places as well, with Hegarty teaming up with photographer friend Dave Watts to create a photo project linked into the LP. The pair travelled to various locations across Cornwall and Somerset, with Watts shooting Hegarty in the wilderness, a tiny figure moving through a vast, desolate landscape, a small man in a big world; but one most definitely about to make his mark on it.
The tracklisting of Temple is as follows: Graveyard Parade; On A Midnight Street; Temple; Elijah; Modern World; Old Master; Mirrors; Can’t You See; Gutter Heart; Glacier; When The Light Hits The Water
Read more at http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/matthew-and-the-atlas/#MDEalEX2R22IWluh.99
To celebrate the release, Matthew and the Atlas will embark on a tour across the UK at the end of April. Don’t miss out on what is shaping up to be an incredibly special second album release from one of our first ever signings.
Matthew and the Atlas perform Elijah overlooking the Hammersmith Bridge and the River Thames in London. For more Mahogany Sessions
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