Matthew Schultz’ return this summer brings a blissfully ambient and colourful hit – one that smoothly fuses soulful Jamie Woon-style vocals, with a dreamlike instrumental delicacy, and a mellow bounce of a beat that mixes in a likable level of world-music vibes throughout.
Turn Me Up is a collaborative offering with artist Gyptian – a partnership that makes unquestionable sense when you hear the purity and unity their work presents.
Showcasing layers of synths that weave in and out of the mix, a light yet intentional and varied rhythm section, and a brilliantly effective use of contrast as the various verses and the hook kick in, the single moves from alternative pop through mellow dance-hall and onward into the perfect dose of end-of-summer EDM. The latter half in particular sees hints of distortion, funk and grit pour into the process, creating a subtle but certain sense of progression, of movement; which reinforces well the underlying sentiments and simple passion of the lyrics.
At close to four minutes long, the track makes for the perfect hit of escapism or boost of energy just as daylight is fading. That opening drop from the instrumental into the spacious vocal verse is gorgeously seductive – that dance-hall melody engages and calms, and as the song progresses it evolves with impeccable skill and emotion; building around you a far more complex and consistently captivating journey.
While there are more than a few likable, even lovable elements to this single from afar – the sound is crisp and clean yet smooth and uplifting enough to suit just about any scenario – the skillful undertones make it all the more immersive and memorable. These lyrics are deeply personal, openly emotional, loyal, and with that the singer delivers a believable aura of truth and passion that backs it all up beautifully. Meanwhile, this multi-layered soundscape of various intricacies and moments helps add further artistic purpose to the whole thing.
A superb new track, one with a decidedly nostalgic vibe in some ways, but with a stunningly fresh style in others. Matthew Schultz never fails to impress, and to maintain a strong balance between creativity and professionalism. Having amassed over seven million streams with his previous single Somewhere Far, among a host of other vast and lasting achievements, the producer and artist is well on his way to the top. Absolutely a name worth knowing.
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