[8/10]
Newcastle student singer-songwriter, Mat Hunsley, releases his debut single ‘Au Contraire’ through Trellis Records. This track is everything you could wish for from an acoustic song: hauntingly beautiful vocals, stripped back guitar and poetic lyricism. Compared to the likes of Bon Iver, James Vincent Mcmorrow and City and Colour; you have to take a minute to remind yourself that Hunsley is just at the start of his musical career.
It isn’t easy to capture someone’s full attention with a recorded song compared to a live performance. Yet, with the first verse Hunsley manages it: ‘Kicking out at the silent stone, Pushing it for change, You’re wasting all your breath babe, Trying to beat him into shape’. This gives an insight into Hunsley’s story telling songwriting style and his take on life as it passes by us. So, put your headphones on, turn it up a notch and shut your eyes, you’re in for a treat!
‘Au Contraire’ is out 19th May
Cathy Baylis
