MUSIC: Matador by Gaz Coombes

On the 30th of January I bought a music album, physically entered a shop, picked it up, old school or maybe even retro in the age of instant digital download. There was a sense of excitement as I got into the car and put it straight into the CD player and turned up the volume.

The first song “Buffalo” only helped to up the feeling as the album delivered on the promise immediately. The album was “Matador” by Gaz Coombes, formerly of Supergrass, his second solo album release and one where he has really found a sound that suits him.

Gaz Coombes delivers a collection of songs that are not afraid to fluctuate the sound and tone going from soulful vocals to smashing symbols in an instance (Buffalo), easy listening to upbeat and back (20/20, The English Ruse, Detroit), even songs that feel like he was just experimenting with but to great results (Needles Eye, Oscillate), while also at times keeping it simple but vocally outstanding (The Girl who fell to earth, Matador). But the real strength in this album is the strong and powerful lyrics that really resonate and hit home… well that’s my opinion anyway.

To this day, with half the year gone this album remains my musical highlight of 2015. It gets my vote for Album of the year!

So I will sign off with one of my favourite lyrics from the album,

“First you cry, then you laugh

You’re like a circle, cut in half”