Reviews
Artist:Matt Steady Album: Presence
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: https://mattsteady.com/
If you've come across Matt Steady before, you may think you know what to expect from a new release. You won't be expecting this one though.
Presence is a confident running jump into the unknown, full of faith that the landing will be kind. It's also an instrumental album for people who don't like instrumental albums, and I count myself among those people. Steady has always been a superb guitarist, but on the new album he tells stories with the strings in a way that few can. He describes Presence as his heart crying out when he ran out of words, and there's a depth of emotion on display that you feel rather than hear.
It doesn't take long for the album to take hold. Deep Calls To Deep is utterly enchanting and holds you captive for the entire running time. It's one of those tracks that feels so utterly uplifting and moving that you'll find yourself listening to it repeatedly. While it's the kind of album where every song will be a favourite for someone, the opener is certainly one of the undoubted highlights.
While Steady's skills are rightly front and centre, other elements have their time in the sun as well. Terl Bryant's drums especially shine on Espresso, with the bass of Phil March and keys of Phil Styles adding plenty of depth elsewhere. Amongst all the depth of emotion there are moments of playfulness that border on levity. Perforate is an absolute joy to listen to, and there feels like a touch of mischievousness and exasperation to Jelly Babies.
There will inevitably perhaps be some lazy comparisons that will be made, and for all that Steady deserves his name being mentioned alongside some of the titans of prog-rock, it would be a disservice. Presence is such an immersive listen that it should come with a warning not to stick it on while you're trying to work. It's impossible not to allow yourself to get swept away. This is a masterful album by a musician at the very top of their game.
Adam Jenkins
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