Ambient lo-fi grooves that envelop their listener, alongside deeply emotional vocals – drawn out, expressive phrases and notes, blending something like soul and jazz across a colourful, contemplative tapestry. Matthias Boretius fuses passion and quiet musical presence, for the sweeping sentiments and sounds of Open Door.
Contrast is key, but also fluidity, unity – a sort of imperfect balance between elements. The trip-hop ambiance is atmospheric and ethereal, calming and comforting, then the vocal is bold and characterful, impassioned and occasionally gritty; always soulful. This juxtaposition increases throughout, Open Door gathering clear momentum and energy along the way, and the intensity slowly but surely rising towards a beautiful, poetic and hopeful crescendo or conclusion.
Matthias Boretius has released a number of original songs in recent months, and while there’s an impressive versatility and freedom between tracks, there are also a handful of undeniable threads of identity that ground each piece amidst his style and approach.
Consider Alive, a lush production and lower-toned, almost spoken verses, a little more The Divine Comedy and indie at this point, but still gorgeously poetic and distinct – something of an artistic burst of feeling, rather than a simple, structurally predictable or standard song. The performance here is stunning, and the ideas, the familiar looping synths and melodies, all make for an uplifting and near-euphoric alternative listen.
2025 also saw the release of the songs Angel and Angels do not cry. The former is a gentle indie-folk contribution, with lush keys and modest vocals celebrating a peaceful, familiar concept, as subtle layers of harmony add something new and dreamy yet accessible to the Matthias Boretius catalogue. In contrast, the latter – a personal highlight – is an unorthodox, catchy, and rather cinematic experimental work, with soundbites and warm keys, synths and segments, blended with freely expressive, refreshingly uninhibited, beautifully harmonised vocals.
It’s a new performance style in a way, but that same freedom and passion resounds – a certain fearless commitment to the notes and sentiments of the arrangement, which you genuinely don’t hear all that often anymore, and Matthias hits the mark; devotes to the moment, and it pays off. It’s unique, intriguing, but ultimately uplifting, and quite inspiring at the same time. And these qualities ring loudly throughout Matthias Boretius’ repertoire of original music. It’s a style that’s his own, recognisable and honest, but it’s also rooted in ambience, mood, and momentum. We slow down as we listen, we reflect and wonder, and we share a moment of real humanity, heart, and groove.
Find Matthias Boretius on TikTok.
