Dark Folk: Matt Kivel – Jamie’s

Matt Kivel

“Jamie’s”

Janus

Matt Kivel, Glasgow, Scotland-born, Los Angeles-based, is a singer/songwriter who deals in the dark. Janus, Kivel’s new CD, isn’t always an easy record to take in; despite its easy-going recording process, it’s home to some of Kivel’s darkest material yet. And dark it is.  I love it.  This is the type of music to listen to on a dark, winter’s night when the world is at its bleakest.  When I listen to “Jamie’s”, I see black and red.  “Jamie’s” starts out beautifully, subdued, folkish, when all of the sudden there are bursts of discordant blasts that perfectly match the mood of the song’s subject.  The mixture of folk, jazz, and no wave works perfectly.  The only person I can compare Kivel to is Lou Reed at his blackest.  Janus is all set to be released February 5, 2016.

JANUS – TRACKLISTING
01. Janus
02. Violets
03. Pyrrha
04. Prime Meridian
05. No Return
06. Janice
07. Jamie’s
08. The Shining Path
09. Orpheus
10. Palm Beach