Yellow Coat
Dangerbird, 2020
8/10
The California troubadour Matt Costa returns with his 6th album, and this time he takes inspiration from Van Gogh’s Dear Theo as well as John Steinbeck’s A Life In Letters. A record that surrounds themes of heartbreak, the record actually consists of letters Costa wrote to himself at the end of a 10 year relationship.
“Avenal” starts the listen with a warm, acoustic landscape as soft singing guides the synthetic drums and dreamy folk approach, and “Slow” follows with an AM radio slant that’s also got an old time feel as Costa displays timeless song craft.
In the middle, “Jet Black Lake” is a soulful tune with a busy, precise formula, while “Savannah” moves with a rhythmic, retro swagger that flirts with Motown sounds and benefits from a saxophone. The title track and stand out tune then illustrates a hazy delivery of stirring yet playful ideas that just might make you want to mull things over.
Near the end, “Sky Full Of Tears” is an upbeat waltz influenced moment, and “So I Say Goodbye” exits the album piano friendly, where Costa’s smooth pipes suit the emotive finish as eloquent wordplay concludes the listen and relationship.
An intimate and forthright record that’s got plenty of reverb and falsetto vocals, Costa pens a bedroom pop effort that few others could pull off, that, if you’ve been following along so far, will certainly gravitate to, and, if it’s your first experience with Costa, will absolutely be intrigued with.
Travels well with: G. Love- The Juice; Conor Oberst- Salutations