Manchester-based singer Matthew C. Whitaker goes into a gentler, sun-dappled light with "Chestnut Tree," the second single from his upcoming solo album "Songs For The Weary." This new release shows a softer, more thoughtful side of the HENGE leader, one based on closeness, patience, and understated charm.
It feels like someone pressed the pause button on "Chestnut Tree." The song starts with soft vocals and a melodic classical guitar, then moves forward with a pleasant, leisurely grace. At its heart, there is a sense of calm reflection, and the instruments never rush to impress, instead, they invite the listener to settle in and stay for a while. The arrangement is simple yet full, with a cheerful ease and a sense of Englishness that stays with you long after the last note.
Whitaker created and produced the song himself, and Alan Keary, a musician, is all over it. Keary plays the Hofner bass alongside the violin, viola, and cello, adding subtle shapes and emotional depth. Rob Turner's drums give the music a steady, calm beat. The players make a sound that sounds both meticulously planned and warm and human. There is an animated music video for the track. Katy Anne Bellis directed it and, by adding a visual element, contributes to the song's mood of calm reflection.
"Chestnut Tree," a song from "Songs For The Weary," hints at an album that isn't frightened of quietness, one that finds beauty in constraint and meaning in little, quiet moments. It's a gentle, confident move forward from an artist who recognizes that often the softest songs have the most impact.
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