OUT FRIDAY: Debut 'Crystal Heights' album from California electronic artist MATTHEW NOWHERE

California electronic artist Matthew Nowhere to release debut 'Crystal Heights' album on May 23

FOR FANS OF: OMD, Drab Majesty, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Psychedelic Furs, The Church, ACTORS, Nation of Language, Vision Video
FOCUS TRACKS: Transforming, Echoes Still Remain, Love Is Only What We Are, Persist3nce, Ruby Shards, Crystal Heights
FCC clean (no profanity)


'Crystal Heights' album order  
https://matthewnowhere.bandcamp.com/album/crystal-heights
'Transmission' / Album Teaser  https://youtu.be/RBd4UldpYfI
'Transforming' feat. Lunar Twin  https://tinyurl.com/Matthew-Nowhere-Transforming
YouTube Visualizer  https://youtu.be/5-JOsCWj7Rw
'Stellar Enfoldment'  https://youtu.be/XYBwfCO5xRU
'Echoes Still Remain'  https://youtu.be/UG7OcHfkW1Y
'Love Is Only What We Are'  https://youtu.be/c8IG0iDVkIA
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/artist/1psCPo3RHQK3ZjSGKTEaWV
Soundcloud  https://soundcloud.com/matthewnowhere


"Full of liquid sonics, shimmering synth waves, numerous poised, interlocking riffs and polished beats, gorgeous electronic textures, and cascades of creativity. It is groovesome and dance-driven, sitting equidistant between the uptown dancefloor’s neon sheen and the more underground world of the delicate and discerning" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Pulsing with retro-electronic energy, this music seemingly winds and oscillates at the same time, using contrasting elements of illumination and shadow. Featuring a seductive, synthesizer-driven foundation, this recalls era classics by such artists as Visage, Alphaville and Human League, albeit with a greater reverie factor" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Instant synth-pop classic, summoning the work of Alphaville and Architecture & Morality-era OMD... Buoyed by a soaring and unforgettable chorus, a prowling electro-beat and a pulsing groove" ~ Stereo Embers Magazine

"An epic and majestic slice of electronic pop: lush and rich and as expansive as the rich blue skies over California... glorious: cinematic and threaded through with melancholia" ~ Backseat Mafia


California electronic-synthpop artist Matthew Nowhere presents his debut album 'Crystal Heights' - a sonic love letter to the 1980s. Throughout its 13 hook laden tracks, this record celebrates and pays homage to new wave classics with memorable songs and a lush, synth and tape-laden production style.

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer Matthew Nowhere explores sounds of the 1980s with inspired reverence, his unique music bringing good vibes, poetic lyrics and gritty new wave beats. Currently residing in California's Nevada County in the forests of the Sierra Mountains, Matthew Nowhere uses analog production styles in creating deeply authentic and soulful music that speaks to the power of love to overcome all obstacles.  

A self-described "lover and mystic", Matthew Nowhere's lyrics on 'Crystal Heights' deliver on that promise. Themes of wonder, transcendence and mystery weave through the album, along with a constant emphasis on the importance of love. Though some songs are introspective and melancholy, overall, 'Crystal Heights' is an uplifting album, following a palpable arc of love, growth, and redemption.

“This album takes another look at something beautiful once rejected. I decided to return to the music that was all around during my childhood, and to explore the entire emotional landscape of those incredibly formative years. 'Crystal Heights' represents an embracing of a forgotten part of early childhood, and a celebration of all the incredible creativity that was everywhere at the time," says Matthew Nowhere.

With gritty drum machines and analog synths, 'Echoes Still Remain', ‘Crystal Heights’ and 'Love Is Only What We Are' recall synthpop greats such as OMD, Depeche Mode and New Order.  Elsewhere, on ‘Ruby Shards’ and ‘Everything’s True’, Matthew Nowhere delivers a more band-driven sound with echoes of The Church or Psychedelic Furs.

Standout tracks 'Transforming' and 'Persist3nce' feature Lunar Twin, made of up vocalist Bryce Boudreau and multi-instrumentalist Christopher Murphy. Mainstays on the dreamgaze scene for many years, their contributions weave a fine layer of silk into the fabric of this sublime retro-futuristic music. On ‘Transforming’, Nowhere spins neon-lit electronica, mixing beautifully with Boudreau’s emotive, broody vocal style. On ‘Persist3nce’, Nowhere and Boudreau are joined by the darkwave synth stylings of Lunar Twin's Chris Murphy and angelic choir tones by the Antonio Family Singers.

"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," says Matthew Nowhere.

As of May 23, 'Crystal Heights' is available from fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Now available for pre-order, this record will be released digitally and on Limited Edition transparent blue vinyl.

CREDITS
Music composed by Matthew Nowhere (Matthew Lin Packard)
Lyrics by Matthew Nowhere
except ‘Transforming’ and ‘Persist3nce’ - lyrics by Bryce Boudreau
Matthew Nowhere - vocals, synths, bass, guitar, drums, drum machines, programing & sequencing
Bryce Boudreau – lead vocals on ‘Transforming’ and ‘Persist3nce’
Chris Murphy – additional synths on ‘Persist3nce’
Antonio Family Singers – choir on ‘Persist3nce’
Produced by Matthew Nowhere. Co-produced by Bryce Boudreau
Mixed & mastered at Nowhere Sound Studios
Recorded at Nowhere Sound (Grass Valley, CA), Tiny Flame Studios (Petaluma, CA), Ohia Forest Recordings (Kealekua, Hawaii), Desert Heat Studio (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Cover artwork by Violet Flame Design
'Transforming' video directed by Zoey Nguyen
Additional stills directed by Simona Lonardo Cinematography (Beneveto, Italy)
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

ALBUM TRACK LIST
01. Transmission (Intro)
02. Love Is Only What We Are
03. Echoes Still Remain
04. Crystal Heights
05. Aquatic Envelopment (Interlude)
06. Transforming (Feat. Lunar Twin)
07. Have You Ever Known
08. Ruby Shards
09. Stellar Enfoldment (Interlude)
10. Everything's True
11. Silver Glass
12. Persist3nce (Feat. Lunar Twin & The Antonio Family Singers)
13. Crystalline Emergence (Outro)


Keep up with Matthew Nowhere
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | BlueSky | TikTok | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify

Keep up with Lunar Twin
Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Threads | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music