Singer Matthew Santos Is Pretty AND Talented
Chicago-Based Hottie Returns with Seventh Album, “Into the Further”
Being a success does not always mean that one is particularly talented. Visual appearances can play a big part in winning. Take Cheryl Cole (or just Cheryl if you’re nasty) for instance. She’s got the vocal range of a boiled carrot but is the only female to have 5 #1 singles in UK history. Luckily, there are times when talent and beauty come together and I’m not talking about pageants.
Matthew Santos, a dashing singer/songwriter, is gearing up to release his seventh album Into the Further and I got a chance to listen to an advanced copy. Guess what? It’s good. Like, really good. Santos, whose voice is a perfect blend of Starsailor’s James Walsh and John Legend, is serving soulful Indie/Folk realness and I actually can’t stop listening to it. He’s got what I would consider a powerfully smooth set of pipes.
As the sole songwriter for the 14-track album, this Chicago-based babe has glued together a sonic story I did not want to end. If you were to tell me that this was the same guy who featured on Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar,” I wouldn’t have believed you. The songs have a very minimal vibe to them and makes me think they are the result of some incredibly successful jam sessions between some friends.
Into the Further tracklisting
01. Into the Further
02. Ojos
03. Under the Microscope
04. Seven Years
05. It All Works Out
06. Second Chances
07. Succumb to Gravity
08. White Gloves
09. End of the Pipeline (Have a Nice Day!)
10. Field and Flower
11. Just to See You (Take 2)
12. Winter’s Song
13. Who Am I to You
14. And Now the Leap
The album is good and I give it 3 stars (“Succumb to Gravity” and “Just to See You (Take 2)” are standout tracks) but it’s not an album that I believe would make Santos into the star I think he could be. Then again, maybe he doesn’t want to be some globetrotting tabloid magnet like Taylor Swift. After all, he is said to have willingly retreated from the limelight after the massive success of “Superstar.” I think it respectable if he chose to sidestep the possibility of a glitzy life to remain grounded and focus on his craft. If he ever changes his mind, at least he knows he’s got the talents to go along with the looks.
On a side note, Santos has teamed up with other Chicago-based artists from groups such as Gemini Club (love them) to form a new group called MONAKR and I. LOVE. IT. You all know how much I love Twin Shadow and while listening to “Calling Out,” I could not help thinking how much I would also love to hear his voice on the track. So good.
Matthew Santos, I give you all of the yeses.
