Matias

This is the second instalment of "Moods” by Matias, a series of themed mini-disc EPs envisioned, composed, performed and tested by Matias Rozenberg. While Matias is used to teamwork (he paid his dues in the multimember Hidden Cameras), Summer sees him finally wrangling a team of his own. Sandro Perri (Polmo Polpo), the up and coming Laura Barrett and members of Fucked Up are all listed guest contributors, in addition to Matias’s four-piece house band — and as conductor, Matias fares well. It stands to reason that Summer sounds fuller than its predecessor, Sleepy. True to its theme, it’s balmy, light-hearted and catchy, with great pop songs ("Tea”) punctuated by mood-perfect instrumentals ("Intro,” "Glimmerin’ Spokes & Citronella”), sound effects (birds chirping, bike bells) and a samba interlude. The summer vibe holds strong, with every part and effect perfectly suited to its purpose. Once again Matias proves that working with a theme doesn’t have to be self-indulgent — it’s clear to the average listener that the album is more than just a random collection of songs, but the music is great in or out of context. Summer has a big sound for such a small record (literally) — Matias’s preferred format has tended to be small-scale DIY, but he doesn’t need to be so humble. The "Mood” series has served as a great introduction, but it’s increasingly clear that his talents deserve a full-sized release.