Matleys
Desirevolution

A band like the Matleys has only one big misfortune: being Italian. Had they been English, we would surely be talking about a hot name in the garage-rock scene. The story of “Desirevolution” is quite strange at first glance, having been quietly released in 2014 and only now officially released through This Is Core Records. Listening to it, you can strongly hear the echoes of bands like The Vines and Babyshambles, names that surely influenced the growth of this project. Nevertheless, we can say that we are faced with a fairly enjoyable work in its basic simplicity, with a band skilled in doing their bit without overdoing it, either positively or negatively. Their songs seem tailor-made for an audience accustomed to UK sounds, that is, that “polished but not too much” rock, where it's not usual to dare but rather to simply satisfy the listener. So don't expect rhythmic upheavals, distortions, and songs capable of igniting the live audience (stuff like Foo Fighters, to be clear), but rather a product perfect for the home stereo for leisure moments and daily car trips. “Mr. Wolf,” “Patrice Pepper,” and “The Winter Song” are a trio I mention with pleasure, perhaps the most compelling tracks on the list and in my opinion starting points if one is searching for a less “institutional” identity. The artwork is quite nice overall.