There are no compromises in Matt Maltese’s new album ‘Hers’
Simplicity is a coveted virtue only a handful attain, and not many capture the mundane with lush soundscapes and emotional gravitas quite like British-Canadian indie artist Matt Maltese. Since his debut album Bad Contestant, which features the viral hit As The World Caves In, Matt has established himself as a prolific singer-songwriter because of that very gift.
Now with six albums, numerous tours, and much more life behind him, Matt makes a meaningful return with his newest album Hers, a body of work tracing a long-term romantic relationship and the highs and lows it entails. Young STAR caught up with the singer over Zoom two days before its release last May 16.
Despite the whirlwind that follows promoting a record, Matt’s serene, bright aura glowed through the screen. “I feel excited to let the record go and do what it’s meant to do,” Matt said with a smile. He was also elated over the well-timed release of “Hers” coinciding with summer. “The weather gets better. The album comes out. Those are nice things to come together.”
In 2024, Matt dropped a collection of covers called Songs That Aren't Mine, which allotted him a longer period to write this new album. Hers was written sporadically over two years and produced in six months. “It’s a cliché, but when you have more life experience, you have more to write about and you like the songs more,” Matt realized. “I was overflowing with stuff to say and sing about, which is a really nice feeling. It doesn’t happen every time.”
Matt has been songwriting for 15 years, but single-handedly producing this record was relatively uncharted terrain, as the last time he produced to this extent was for his second album, Krystal. He found the challenge liberating. “I’m learning as I go, which brings some kind of charm because it doesn’t sound how a producer might make it sound. But with this record, I had done a lot more production. So, it (was) probably the best producer I’ve been yet.”
The British- Canadian indie artist traverses the trepidations of intimacy in his fully self-produced sixth album.
Producing all 11 tracks was a natural culmination of everything the artist had worked towards. “I felt ready to be like, ‘Actually, I’m gonna produce my own record and it’s not gonna be in my bedroom. It’s gonna be in a studio and I’m gonna choose my musicians,’” he shared. “That’s how I see this record: by producing and writing it pretty much all by myself, there’s no compromise. It’s got all of my essence in it. I really wanted it to be that kind of a statement.”
Matt’s growing self-assurance and wealth of experience are reflected in the album. Though he may not have intended it, “Hers” signals the transformation of a self-proclaimed “homebody” into an international artist always in transit. “I don’t think of it too consciously as a movement thing. Life (just) happens when you don’t expect it to.” As he put it, life doesn’t stop while touring, and neither do relationships. “You’re just as likely to have a life-altering moment on tour as you are when you’re sat at home ready for it.”
True to his artistic inclinations, Matt’s lyrics continue to highlight everyday truths with poignancy and sincerity. “I’ve always been weirdly against metaphors. My favorite kinds of songs to listen (to) and write (have) a conversational feel to it. There’s moments where I think it’s important to step out of that and play with the form, but most of the time, I want to sing things that I could say in real life.”
“To do something simple well is, for me, the best possible thing. Poetry can be anything. (It) can be simple phrases. It could be a stream of consciousness.”
On Buses Replace Trains, the fourth single from Hers, Matt ends with, “I know it’s not that simple, but it is,” after affirming that the romance he has is irreplaceable. That line is one of the many heartfelt expressions throughout the album, and Matt hoped it all “comes across as a true representation of love.”
Although the record traverses the trepidations and vulnerabilities of intimacy, Matt encouraged listeners to remain optimistic. “I’d like to think I bring people comfort. That makes me very happy. It’s okay for a feeling for life and love to go incredibly wayward and still believe that it’s all gonna be okay.”
As the conversation concluded and Matt posed for a picture ahead of the next interview, he described his room as “very messy.” In the same way, that passing comment perfectly encapsulates Hers—an ode to imperfection and persevering through life’s chaos, all in the name of love.
Matt Maltese’s newest album Hers is available to stream on all major music streaming platforms via The Orchard. Follow the artist at @matthewmaltese.