When four-track Fools Gold arrived in PT’s mailbox, we were convinced this could be a cookie cutter one-man-meets-guitar-singing-like-a-mockney affair. Thankfully MATT SMITHIES is the real deal – a warm, soft sounding voice backed up by some excellent song writing.
Opening track ‘No Rest For the Wicked’ is a great, upbeat acoustic-pop track fuelled by a fantastic synth hook and percussive clapping and vocal lines whereas tracks like ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ (not the Mötley Crüe variety) and closer ‘Cold Advice’ are reminiscent of old (upbeat) Brand New et al minus the lyrical prowess.
It’s all a little cliché lyrically, but this is a ground well trodden. However with such great hooks and subtle nuances in the music, it makes for great pop songs and with a little progression and maturity in his writing, MATT SMITHIES will be an artist to look out for in the future.
KYLE BUNKIN