Sky Mata - First Album (CD)

Release Date: 09/29/17

Gentle, intimate and quirky bedroom pop from Japan / RIYL: Moon Socket, Pinback, Marbles

The Sky Mata is the moniker for a Japanese fellow named Matthew Haya, and, as you might guess, this is his first album. His sound is very simple and stripped-down, almost like a minimal Marbles or Stuart Moxham, had he been part of the Elephant 6 collective. The songs have a very intimate sound, as if he had recorded them in his apartment late at night, careful not to wake his neighbors with the drums (which are hit ever so lightly). The interplay between the nimble bass and melodic guitars is fantastic, reminding me of Pinback at times, and there are enough memorable tunes to keep you coming back for more listens.