St. Lucia - Matter

St. Lucia
Matter
2016
Spotify

For anyone that knows me at all they probably know that St. Lucia are one of my favorite bands, thus don't expect much criticism coming from this review. I like to be as unbiased as possible when listening to new music, but I love this band, their sound and them as people so if you are looking for something negative hit the fucking bricks. At a time when I was the most low in my life it was listening to St. Lucia, seeing them live and listening to more new music that really pulled me out of it. They got me excited about something again so taking this opportunity to gush is the very least I can do.

Matter is the follow up to When the Night St. Lucia's first full length record and far and away one of the most underrated. While When the Night was light and airy typical of St. Lucia's namesake Matter sees the band take more of a urban heavily 80s take on pop music. Make no mistake the synths are still firing, even more so on this record, and the music will invariably get those hips loose. "Dancing On Glass" the first single and one of the best tracks on the record is an all out hit capable of crossing genres but it is surrounded with 10 other tracks of the same ilk. St. Lucia have taken the raw energy that comes through on their live shows, much of the time between records was spent on the road, and brought some of that fire to Matter. It is an all out dance party and everyone is invited. The first six tracks never let up making the respite that "Love Somebody" brings a nice change of pace and a chance for the listener to take a breather, if they even want one.

"Help Me Run Away" co-written with Jack Antonoff feels like the most personal with allusions to Jean's move to New York and eventual decision to stay. The song is the most overtly 80s on the album but it does have that energy that St. Lucia are just so very good at. One thing that you can level against St. Lucia is their use of the outro which often seem to extend just a little to long. That was the case on When the Night and the practice continues a bit on Matter as well. On Matter however it is more about keeping the power going (like in a house music set) rather than just capturing a tropical breeze and letting it flow awhile longer. "Always" written with Patti Beranak (Keyboard, backup vocals and Jean's wife) takes the idea of a ballad and gives it a St. Lucia spin with soaring vocals and backing synths. It is a chance for Beranak to shine as she sings the chorus and heavy percussion, another one of St. Lucia's hallmarks. backs her up. It is a fitting end to the record and leaves you wanting so much more. Matter could have gone in many different directions or been a chance for St. Lucia to build on the momentum that When the Night created. Instead they took a different path and really created a stellar second record. It goes without question that everyone should be listening to this record...like now.

9.0 out of 10