We last featured MatAre as he explored emotional unraveling with cinematic depth on the existential new single, Dissolution, so when we heard that the visionary Matthew Rousseau was back with Dancing With The Spirits, we were curious to say the least and couldn’t wait to share his universe once more.
Dancing With The Spirits opens with a cerebral riser and expands into MatAre’s signature, high quality, dark-wave vibes with epic 80s drums and sublime guitar work. We are enthralled and captivated, transported into his world as he shares the lyrics, “The moonlit waves that never touch your body, I′m in the darkness always watching, never seeing, keep you forever even knowing what may happen, but salty venom sprays your body after midnight…”
It’s cinematic and poetic, perfect for a scene in a TV show like Nine Perfect Strangers, or a movie like Obsession. The evolution of the track taps into melodic intricacies and the narrative unfolds as a tale of someone who has lost a love but still cannot let go.
Matthew Rousseau shares how he feels close to his muse in his heart, but also feels distant. It is like they can only watch from the shadows. Images of ghosts, darkness, and moonlight suggest memories and sadness, as well as the feeling that the relationship is over, but not in MatAre‘s mind.
The repeated hook, “dancing with the spirits of our love,” shows how Matthew is holding on to the memories of the love they once shared, even though that love might have died. The sentiments of existentialism, grief, longing, and the struggle to move on are relatable, and the sound of the track is cohesive with MatAre‘s wider discography. Of course, fans of The Cure will totally be able to vibe with Dancing With The Spirits too, and Matthew cites Sisters of Mercy as a sonic influence for this one too.
On the message, MatAre confesses, “There is a real story behind my new song but it’s too personal and close to home for me to put out in permanent press. I will say that my songs have double meanings, the first is always the direct meaning and this is no different. The song is about a ghostly presence dancing on the beach at night and under the stars. I am watching them and mesmerized by their beauty. The ocean, beach and sand and water, they are constant themes in my songs and in my life.”
MatAre creates and produces most of his music, working with collaborators like drummer Glenn Welman, mixing engineer Gabe Wolf, and vocalist Denisse Ferrara, whose background vocals add a haunting, atmospheric quality to the song. We have added Dancing With The Spirits to our New Music Spotlight playlist and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the exquisite wider discography of MatAre, and anticipate future releases.