We are inordinately honoured to bring you a first look at the new video for Matthew Nowhere‘s track ‘Ruby Shards’, off the sublime debut album ‘Crystal Heights’ (reviewed by me here).
Noting the effervescence of the track ‘Ruby Shards’, I wrote in my review that it was a track that shakes you from a reverie with its high stepping pop delivery, its jingle jangle sound and anthemic delivery. It’s one of those pop songs that are euphoric and joyous – there are elements of Pulp with its soaring chorus that gives you goosebumps. The arching guitar riff thrills.
Matthew Nowhere says of the track:
‘Ruby Shards’ is a song that speaks to the cycles of life and transformation, it could be about deep and profound relationships — and the power that another person can have to truly change your life by inspiring true reflection.
There’s an achingly beautiful and romantic filigree to the lyrics:
I see you breaking up into a thousand seeds
From the fragments of what used to be
Where your footprints lead
I can’t claim to see
But I hope you’ll come back to meet me
The video is a glorious assemblage of footage interspersed with Nowhere’s performance through a kaleidoscope of colours and movement that pulses with the beat of the song.
Nowhere says of the music video, directed by The Violet Flames Designs:
The video, like the whole album ‘Crystal Heights’, explores themes from a childhood growing up in a California beach town, skateboarding and surfing were a way of life. The animated clips of floating rocks that are in the video are from the Hindu epic ‘The Ramayana’.
In that story, the protagonists need to cross an ocean to save Sita. They discover that by writing the name of Rama (the hero), the rocks begin to float, allowing a way across the ocean. This is a metaphor for making an impossible journey possible by having supreme faith.
Nowhere has perfected a pop delivery with visuals that match the sense of euphoria induced by the soaring melodies:
The video release arrives with the first vinyl pressing of ‘Crystal Heights’ out on 15 July on blue translucent 180 gram – see link below.
Matthew Nowhere is the moniker for Matthew Lin Packard and he says of his creative urges:
Music to me is literally magic. I am transforming feelings into sounds. And if I’m going to do that kind of alchemy, the feelings I want to share are ones that are meaningful and transformative. Life is wild and mysterious, and it doesn’t always make sense. But the important things – connection, love – are always grounding and I can’t think of anything else I want to focus my life on.
‘Crystal Heights’ is a revelation: an album that seemingly encompases elements of a Californian sunshine sound with British intelligent gothic synth pop, creating an immersive album that glitters and shines with its anthemic sounds and melodies. You can get it through the link below.
