MatAre’s latest single, The Siren, is a hauntingly beautiful and cinematic piece that masterfully blends post-punk, new wave, and goth rock. The solo project of Atlanta-based artist Matt Rousseau, MatAre has been crafting evocative and deeply emotional soundscapes since 2020. With The Siren, he explores a compelling and cautionary tale of fascination, mystery, and ultimate peril – a thematic departure from his typically introspective songwriting.
The Siren opens with a cerebral texture reminiscent of an altered state of consciousness, evoking a dreamlike or even psychedelic experience akin to a DMT trip. The track immediately transports us to an otherworldly realm, where layered, textured drums and a dimensional bassline intertwine seamlessly. Rousseau’s atmospheric vocals hover like a spectral presence, adding a sense of longing and danger, while astral guitar melodies weave an intricate web of emotion.
The guitar work is particularly noteworthy – dynamic, celestial, and evocative, it channels the gothic allure of The Cure’s A Forest” while embracing the eerie vastness of oceanic horror themes. The song’s chord changes are undeniably cinematic, reinforcing its potential as a perfect fit for a film soundtrack. The finale is especially breathtaking, with sublime harmonies that crescendo into an immersive, hypnotic conclusion.
The lyrics of The Siren are poetic and metaphorical, an ode to the dangerous allure of the unknown. MatAre draws from his personal experiences with the ocean, a source of both beauty and trepidation. He describes spending countless hours skim-boarding along the shore, observing the unpredictable forces at play beneath the surface – an experience that inspired the song’s narrative. The protagonist is mesmerized by a mysterious force, a siren’s call that is as enchanting as it is destructive. This shift away from Rousseau’s usual introspective lyricism into storytelling adds a new dimension to his artistry.
One of the most compelling aspects of The Siren is its unique recording process. Rousseau recorded the vocals at night inside a lifeguard enclosure on a Jacksonville, Florida beach, an effort to capture the raw spirit of the song. This organic approach enhances the authenticity of the track, making the listener feel as if they are standing by the shoreline, immersed in the song’s haunting narrative. This attention to environmental detail elevates The Siren beyond conventional production techniques, making it a deeply immersive experience.
MatAre’s musical evolution is evident in The Siren. While still retaining the introspective depth that characterizes his previous work, this song ventures into new sonic and thematic territories. The influence of post-punk and goth rock is more pronounced here than in any of his past releases, signaling a bold artistic shift.
With an album on the horizon, The Siren serves as a mesmerizing preview of what’s to come. Rousseau has expressed that this is his strongest song yet, a testament to his growth as a songwriter and producer. Fans can expect an extensive series of releases throughout 2025, culminating in a full-length project that will further explore these darkly poetic landscapes.
The opus is a masterful fusion of storytelling, atmosphere, and musical depth. It embodies the hypnotic charm and cinematic grandeur that make MatAre’s work so compelling. The song’s dynamic instrumentation, celestial guitar riffs, and metaphorical lyricism create a rich, immersive experience that lingers long after the final note.
For fans of The Cure, gothic aesthetics, and hauntingly poetic narratives, The Siren is a must-listen. It stands as a defining moment in MatAre’s discography – a song that doesn’t just tell a story but fully engulfs its listener in a beautifully eerie world of its own. We have added the track to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY and TIMELESS playlists!