Today Matthew Tavares (aka Matty) releases his latest record, POPS via Lex Records. STREAM THE FULL ALBUM HERE + WATCH VIDEO FOR ‘CAN YOU HOLD ME TIGHT’ HERE.

In making POPS, Matty set out to write music that could soundtrack feelings of vulnerability, pulling on the strings of heartache complexities and life-affirming love with the joy of stripped-back music-making. Experimenting with new songwriting methods that sees him ditch cutting-edge studios and complicated jazz harmonies, Matty explores the rawness of sound, from shades of new wave with post-Britpop melodies to the golden era of 2000s blogs.

Of the record, Matty shares “In an era dominated by aesthetic decisions and the drive to be seen as different than you are – this album is my ode to simplicity and honesty. From beginning to end, I wanted to follow the path of least resistance in the creative process, and just allow myself to express the simple truths that guide my life. I wanted to lean into the most universal conventions of music. I wanted to risk making something so obvious that it might not be seen as cool. I wanted to make something that celebrates the most beautiful force in life – love.”

Watch: Matty – ‘Can You Hold Me Tight’ (Official Music Video)

Accentuating his low key and understated style for something larger than life, POPS is an open and honest 11-track record that constellates around music’s greatest subject – love. A vibrant showcase of his dexterity, his refined songwriting skills are on full display in an album that uncovers a new dimension of his musical identity – one that extends past his position as a highly sought-after producer and collaborator.

With back-to-basics chord progressions and swirling guitar-led arrangements, Matty’s string of singles ‘Boyfriend’, ‘MADLY’, ‘AROUND THE WORLD’ and ‘FOOL 4 U’ has seen global praise far and wide from Brooklyn Vegan, Exclaim, Pitchfork, NOTION, Pilerats and more, as well as radio support from Double J, triple j, KCRW and FBi Radio amongst others, praising Matty’s ability to make music that “comes straight from the heart” (Clash Magazine). Today’s release also sees the surface of seven brand new tracks that cut straight at the heart of what matters to Matty – from a dedication to his wife in ‘MY GIRL’ to the swooning ‘She’s The One’ and ‘Mommy’, which follows a narrative of impending fatherhood and unconditional support.

Like a diary entry that ebbs and flows between musical styles dependent on mindset, POPS coalesces Matty’s penchant for musical exploration all while maintaining a level of honesty and openness that has defined his past work. As a founding member and keyboardist of acclaimed jazz group BADBADNOTGOOD, Tavares has gone from being an in-demand producer with some of the biggest names in music to a songwriter and artist in his own right, having touched corners of the globe and cemented two GRAMMY Awards and five nominations. Between collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, MF DOOM, Tyler the Creator, Kali Uchis, Tavares has also played with Frank Ocean, soundtracked Virgil Alboh’s landmark S/S 2019 runway show for Louis Vuitton, and penned songs for Post Malone, Rosalia, Travis Scott, Kodak Black, Justin Beiber, Camilla Cabello, Jack Harlow amongst others.