We recently featured Matthew Liam Nicholson for his immersive and psychedelic single, Time Machine, which turns out is track number three from his brand new album, Universal Outsider, which just came out! As a side note before we continue, we have also had somewhat of an obsession with Nine Movements, Matthew Liam Nicholson’s meditative 40 minute opus, so we were thrilled to have the chance to review Universal Outsider in depth.
Starting off with Hanalei, we experience celestial textures and piano details, as the track expands with drums and an out-of-this-world energy that has us transcending with panning synth details and glistening nuances. The song includes poetic and philosophical lyrics, as Matthew sings profoundly, “the love that goes away is not the love we enjoy today”. The atmospheric vocals are fused with robotic undertones, and the song breaks down into bass and keys with shimmering details as it comes to a close.
Next up is Dusty Bones, which is one of the singles from the album, lending itself to a folk-hybrid soundscape, as Matthew sings introspectively, “Everything I thought I was is falling down like snowflakes…”
The energy of the song continues on the same thought-provoking wave, whilst we also experience enigmatic stings with layered vocals and unforgettable melodies. We love Matthew’s soundscapes because they are always full of such rich detail, and the vocal production and delivery is immersive, in line with the signature sound of Matthew’s universe. We love the lyrical reference to crying as catharsis.
Time Machine needs no introduction, and lyrical themes include sacred geometry, celestial references, self-realization and references to the human condition and the system as we know it. It is also the song that first references the name of the album in the very first line.
The fourth song on the record is The Publisher which has a catchy and repetitive energy which feels almost mantra-esque. Luscious harmonies continue to envelop us as Matthew sings poetically.
Sirian Song sets the tone with an extended frequency, which immediately has us hypnotized, expanding with doubled drums and detailed percussion. The Worm Turns opens with a cinematic energy as Matthew sings, “Out of the blue, strode an angel tall and true…” as he paints a picture of our dystopian reality and a saviour. The indie-rock anthem is crafted as a word of encouragement during these dark times.
Red Hook takes on a moodier and more subversive edge with a darker 80s sonic tone, which we are already obsessed with. Matthew really shows his range on this song, and a lyrical highlight is the conceptual “Paging Dr Freud, would you come down here right away, there’s a room full of artists all loveless and fey…” It is the longest song on the record and wholly exquisite in nature.
Next up is Bodies, which takes on a more robust approach, with crashing cymbals and snare hits that keep us grounded at the same time as making us feel expansive. Iron Bird features tabla and a guitar programmed to sound like a sitar, whilst the song makes a commentary on the mechanical nature of transport and its destruction to the planet.
Track ten is Alone by the Sea where Matthew brings us to the sea and states his views on the democratisation of power with lyrics like “There is no mortal winning, a singular hand most holy, and grand does not control this chaos…”
Motefish is next and embraces a more chilled energy with guitar slides, celestial textures and drums which create yet another exquisite instrumental canvas. In Priests & Magistrates, Matthew sings his perspective on oneness with the lyrics, “the space is always clear, however goes this motion it is all You Happening here”.
Finally, bells invite us into Lost to Begin with, which is an existential song that is a render of a Rainer Maria Rilke poem, referencing freedom and a connection with nature.
We are always in awe of Matthew Liam Nicholson‘s production, energy and the flawless vocal production that we experience on the record. Fans of Sufjan Stevens, Father John Misty and Animal Collective will likely enjoy Matthew’s body of work, but it is clear that he is creating a universe of his own and we are here to stan.
We have added Dusty Bones and Red Hook to our New Music Spotlight playlist and continue streaming Matthew’s wider discography.