For years while I walked the streets of New York, "City Song" was the tune that fit my stride best. Something about Matt Pond's gentle tone makes you feel safe and almost dreamy walking down an empty street in Manhattan alone at 1am. This same magic is not lost on his recent release; an EP offered for free on his website cleverly titled "The Freeep."



Fans of Matt Pond PA will instantly hear the differences; less strumming guitar, more organ and strings; less toe tapping and more swaying. This EP surprises you with moments of instrumental interludes and spell casting lullabies like with the in the track "One and Only". Trust Matt though, he is hardly new at this, having put albums out since 1998. It is nice to say that these new sounds are not forced but a natural progression from earlier work.

Stand out pieces from the EP are opener "Hearts and Minds", which easily picks up right where Last Light left off, and "Amazing Life." I recommend downloading this gem, a CD you don't have to pay for but actual would.

You can get the album here.


Story by Iyana Gregory

Starpulse contributing writer