By J. Brown

“A UK cross between Bon Iver and Ray LaMontagne.” Those are the words that have been used to perfectly describe Matthew and the Atlas and the voice of English singer Matthew Hegarty, who is the force behind the moniker and the modern folk/alternative music on the new EP To the North, which was released by Communion Records. Hegarty is so effortlessly soulful and his voice has that weathered vibe in the vein of LaMontagne, and the comparison to Bon Iver is as equally apt for the haunting quality of his voice on many songs that leave the listener awestruck by its understated beauty. Hegarty’s remarkable voice and talents are a standout addition to modern folk and the EP showcases an eclectic range of banjo, accordion, strings, horns and rolling rhythms swelling around his powerful lyrics.

The track “I Will Remain” is particularly noteworthy and the best track on the EP. It’s a faster paced folk song that builds at all the right moments and has a Mumford and Sons quality to it. The song is also strengthened by the presence of backing vocalist Lindsay West.

Matthew & The Atlas // I Will Remain

Communion Records is the force behind the release of Hegarty’s second EP, which is a label that was created by Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons, Kevin Jones (Cherbourg) and producer Ian Grimble. The label has given an outlet to new and talented artists who demonstrated they were strong live performers in the growing musical community of English folk/alternative singers. Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons said the following of Communion and Matthew and the Atlas, according to the Independent:

“I do like how we’ve earned the opportunity to help musicians to release a record now as well as play live. There’s a lot of music that never leaves people’s bedrooms or home studios. I’m certainly no A&R scout, I love music as much as the next person, but I am fully immersed in the crazy circus that is the live music and record industry and often have the great pleasure of hearing, by recommendation or sheer luck, new music. A perfect example would be Matthew and the Atlas, billed as local support for a Mumford & Sons show at the very start of 2009 and who just blew everyone away. He has since been in the recording studio and made an EP which we have released through Communion.”

The EP came out in mid-April, and based on the strength of the songwriting and Hegarty’s beautiful deliverance, Matthew and the Atlas should be a singer to watch, as his music is clearly something to get excited about. I know I’ll be eagerly anticipating whatever he puts out next.

The track listing for To The North is as follows and can be purchased on iTunes and at Townsend Records.

1. I will remain
2. Within the Rose
3. Veins of Your History
4. In Winter