Matt Wright’s album What To Watch is a dimensional and rather cinematic experience, an existential exploration, and a sonic odyssey through the euphoria and devastation that constitute the human condition. The album is a carefully curated collection of moments: heartbreak, longing, triumph, and transcendence, but it is also a bop. It fuses nostalgic pop vibes with futuristic electronica, creating a timeless body of work that evokes emotional sincerity, cerebral vibes, and sonic innovation. Here we take you through the exemplary opus, track-by-track!
Delirious (So Tired): Drawing us in with a dimensional riser that immediately transports us into a futuristic universe, Delirious (So Tired) is a high-energy, emotionally charged track that blends pop-punk vocals with cutting-edge dubstep production. Matt Wright’s delivery is as introspective as it is raw, creating a sonic atmosphere that mirrors the exhaustion and delirium he describes. The track’s emotive core, combined with its intricate electronic layers, makes it an easy standout – one that we imagine would be iconic in a live setting.
Heartbreaker: With its cerebral glitch texture and fierce dance beat, Heartbreaker is a song of empowerment, heartbreak, and defiance. Matt’s pristine pop vocals deliver an emotional gut punch, perfectly complementing the nuanced electronic production. The lyrics explore the idea of flipping the heartbreak narrative, with Matt expressing the desire to be the heartbreaker rather than the one being broken. The track’s infectious energy and cinematic music video further cement it as a modern dance-pop anthem.
Thank U (Bringing Us Down): This genre-warping anthem fuses glitchy futuristic pop with punk rock rebellion. Beginning with a cerebral synthscape, the track explodes into hyperpop-infused rock energy, channeling influences from 100 gecs, Good Charlotte, and Charli xcx. Lyrically, it turns heartbreak into empowerment, celebrating the end of a toxic relationship rather than lamenting it. The chorus is an anthemic battle cry, and the production choices – layered, metallic vocal distortions and dynamic instrumentals—reinforce the chaotic yet liberating sensation of moving on.
Falling: Lush synths and astral nuances create a dreamlike, euphoric atmosphere on the track that describes the all-consuming feeling of falling in love. The production on this one is immaculately forward-thinking, and definitely a worthy contender for festival stages like Tomorrowland. The track’s sci-fi pop tendencies suggest Charli xcx-style pop, one of the album’s faces of love songs, and it would’ve been right at home as a late-night jam.
Euphoria: A high-energy celebration of love’s little joys, Euphoria is a fierce, club-friendly track with refined drum and bass production. The cerebral introduction leads into a pulsating beat, evoking comparisons to early Simon Curtis. Matt’s poetic lyricism and vivid metaphors elevate the song, taking listeners on a heartfelt and exhilarating sonic journey.
Break Up 2 Make Up: Exploring the frustrating cycle of toxic relationships, Break Up 2 Make Up features glitch-pop vocal design and a dynamic, SOPHIE-esque soundscape. Matt’s punk influences shine through in his delivery, and the addition of piano elements brings an elegant depth to the track. The fusion of experimental production and pop sensibility makes this a compelling and addictive listen.
Tell Me What I Want To Hear: With a darker, emotive edge, Tell Me What I Want To Hear delves into feelings of being trapped in a relationship with someone emotionally distant. The celestial soundscape adds an element of optimism to the song’s melancholy, showcasing Matt’s ability to blend raw vulnerability with experimental electronic production. His high emotional intelligence is on full display, making this track particularly resonant.
Shine: A powerful anthem about self-acceptance and authenticity, Shine features a stunning orchestral opening and dimensional bass design. The empowering message is amplified by Matt’s confident delivery, making it a track that radiates positivity and resilience. It’s a celebration of individuality, reminiscent of the energy found in some of the biggest pop anthems of the past decade.
Take A Lil’ Time: With a playful, captivating sound, Take A Lil’ Time is an upbeat track that feels like the perfect fit for a teen rom-com soundtrack. Its charming nature, catchy melodies, and pop-swing fusion make it a lighthearted highlight within the album’s more emotionally intense moments.
Headspace: Diving into themes of mental health and personal struggles, Headspace is a deeply personal and reflective track. The opening synths set a contemplative tone, while the lyrics emphasize the importance of love and support in overcoming internal battles. Songs about mental health play a crucial role in destigmatizing conversations surrounding emotional well-being, and Matt’s honest storytelling makes this track particularly significant.
Take Me Somewhere: A song about being so in love that nothing else matters, Take Me Somewhere is an immersive, atmospheric track that blends tropical house elements with Matt’s signature futuristic production. The song’s dreamlike quality and warm, melodic beats create a feeling of escapism, making it the perfect closer for an album that takes listeners through an emotional rollercoaster of love, loss, empowerment, and self-discovery.
OMT: A track about giving a relationship “one more shot”. The xylophone-style introduction and pounding drums immediately pull us in. The emotional quotient is high, with Matt’s lyrics perfectly encapsulating the bittersweet hope of trying again. His ability to blend storytelling with dancefloor-ready beats makes this an irresistible song.
Goodnight: The album closes on a deeply moving note with Goodnight, a heartfelt tribute to a lost loved one. The piano-driven arrangement is stunning, filled with timeless elegance and breathtaking chord changes. Emotionally charged and stadium-worthy, this song is a tear-jerking yet beautiful way to end such a diverse and dynamic record.
Matt Wright’s What To Watch is a masterful interrogation of the cyclical nature of human experience. Through a seamless blend of nostalgia, contemporary production, and philosophical lyricism, he crafts an album that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. Each track serves as a vignette, a scene in the grand film of existence, urging the listener to engage with their own emotions, memories, and existential inquiries.
In the end, What To Watch is not just about love, loss, or euphoria – it is about the very act of watching, of witnessing, of being present in the theatre of one’s own life. Wright reminds us that we are not just participants in our own narratives, but also spectators, ever searching for meaning in the flickering frames of our experience. And perhaps, in that search, we find what it means to truly be alive! We have added Headspace and Heartbreaker to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and TRIPPY playlist!