M. Ward
Post-War

THE REVIEW

How to introduce the fifth work of M. Ward? How to convey the disconsolate presence of a moving and incomprehensibly overlooked songwriter? How to talk about this guy who for more than five years now has been weaving folk melodies with the skill of a veteran?

"Post War" is, as mentioned, the fifth luminescent work of this young man from Portland, who while the world moves on following flashes in the pan and manufactured constructions, puts together songs with a sensitive emotional depth that is increasingly being lost. A fragile and paradoxical beauty that having the opportunity to listen to it is an indisputable asset, an oasis in the desert.

Almost blues sounds transform through bare and essential maturations into folk-rock forms that warm our hearts. Clean and meticulous arrangements, admirable and exemplary attention to detail. His deep and sincere voice blends with light percussion, guitar, and piano for songs free of defects and smudges. The album opens intimate and disenchanted, engaging and relaxed with Poison Cup, two and a half minutes of wonder sewn on worn canvas. Blues, folk, rock flashes, and pop memories in this album by Matt. A rural and sensual voice at the same time can enchant and compose sweet songs out of time and space to complete an impressionist and already bygone work. Echoes of Bob Dylan in the dirty gospel shirt of Rollercoster, splashes from Beach Boys in Magic Trick and a bit of Tom Waits and Neil Young between Requiem and the title track. Chinese Translation is almost perfect and seems like a carousel that has been dormant for years starting to spin again and bringing back smiles and memories.

Few flaws and many merits. A necklace of twelve tracks that in a sea of such banality and artistic and expressive falsehood will capture and convince you.