“Deep, raspy vocals and raw storytelling, with a sound reminiscent of Tom Waits.” - Hot Press
“George Ezra’s caramel voiced pal strikes out alone with ‘Sit Back Down Again’ which overflows with vintage R&B loveliness.” - Daily Star
“A big unique voice - Ireland’s Dr.John.” - John Toal, BBC Radio Ulster
“Impressive songwriting.” - Belfast Telegraph
“Heartfelt lyrics, rich storytelling, and a dash of unexpected humour.” - XS Noize
After accumulating a wealth of big stage experience in George Ezra’s live band, Matt Benson’s solo career is now gaining pace following his first singles ‘Sit Back Down Again’, ‘Strangers And Angels’ and ‘The Way It Should Be’. After earning a first flurry of acclaim and a key playlist feature on Spotify’s Jazz UK, he now takes the next step towards his debut album with the new single ‘Broken Masterpiece’. The ‘Sit Back Down Again’ record then follows on July 11th.
While ‘Broken Masterpiece’ exudes the exemplary musicianship and sleek, soulful vocal class that has embodied Matt’s releases so far, it also takes on a far different ambience. Its haunting, lurching menace feels a little like a cousin to the darkness of Nick Cave’s ‘Henry’s Dream’ album. But Matt’s song comes at that mood from a different angle as he paints a picture that leans into the fantastical world of the creature feature.
Matt says, “‘Broken Masterpiece’ is a groovier, darker, more angry song. The idea is about a supernatural monster: like a fallen angel that was perfect but has become broken. I imagine myself as a little boy climbing up a tree as it’s just getting dark. As I turn to climb back down I notice this creature waiting with dead eyes, and it beckons me with the promise of a reward if I come down. Some people say it’s about the darker parts of your subconscious, but to me it’s a fun song about a monster.”
‘Broken Masterpiece’ was written by Matt, produced by Cian Boylan (Jessie Buckley, David Gray), and mastered by the Grammy Award winner Ruadhri Cushnan (Mumford & Sons, James Bay).
The track is accompanied by a full-band live performance video, which was filmed at Camden Recording Studios in Dublin. Matt leads on vocals and Rhodes, as the song shape-shifts into a heftier stature with its foreboding atmosphere pushed to the max. Showcasing the power of Matt’s future live shows, the performance features Cian Boylan (piano), Conor Brady (guitar, The Commitments), Dave Redmond (acoustic bass, Dana Masters) and Darren Beckett (drums, Brandon Flowers)
The ‘Sit Back Down Again’ album is available to pre-save HERE. It’s the culmination of Matt’s life spent in music so far: from growing up around a music store in Belfast during the latter years of The Troubles, to touring extensively with George Ezra, Sam and The Womp and Bad Manners, and now striking out on his own.
That said, Matt’s album is a world away from what you might expect given his story, with echoes of Tom Waits, Randy Newman and Dr. John shaped by a surfeit of New Orleans style. Its stories blur the line between rich, cinematic fiction and the authenticity that comes with having lived through many of the narratives that he explores.
Having inspired positive comparisons to the likes of Tom Waits and Randy Newman with his debut single, Matt Benson is now set to release his debut album ‘Sit Back Down Again’ on July 11th. He launches the album by sharing his second track, ‘Strangers and Angels’. His solo career comes after an unorthodox journey which took him from touring with Sam and The Womp and Bad Manners and into George Ezra’s arena and festival-headlining live band.
‘Sit Back Down Again’ shows just how much Matt Benson is excelling in the spotlight. His songwriting is exemplary, bringing personal experiences, big emotions and real characters to life, all set to a soundtrack of warm, vintage R&B grooves and jazz-tinged embellishments. And his voice is just as remarkable, his tone ranging from a gritty, raspy baritone to a Nat King Cole-esque smoothness.
Matt says, “I see all of the album’s characters and stories so vividly in my mind. If people get anywhere close to how I see it, I’d be delighted.”
The record features production from Cian Boylan (Jessie Buckley, David Gray) and mastering courtesy of the Grammy Award winner Ruadhri Cushnan (Mumford & Sons, James Bay). Album sessions featured an array of his friends and collaborators including David Klinke (guitar) and Fabio de Oliveira (drums) from George Ezra’s band; drummer Darren Beckett (Brandon Flowers); The Commitments veterans Conor Brady (guitar) and Keith Duffy (bass, The Corrs); Dave Redmond (Dana Masters) on bass; trumpeters Linley Hamilton MBE (Van Morrison) and Ben Edwards (Paolo Nutini, Amy Winehouse); and saxophonist Ben Castle (Radiohead, Blur).
