Matthew Chaim has quickly become a prominent artist to watch on our list with his earnestly affecting, sincerely stirring R&B-tinged indie-electronica, the last of which was a deeply personal ode to his father named Sunflower. As if we needed anymore “reason” to fall for the blossoming singer songwriter and producer from Montreal, he’s since followed it up with a flawlessly heartfelt meditation on love named Reason, his second fine release this summer. Reason’s pensive gravity, airy vocals, and spaciously drafty soundscape are reminiscent of Cautious Clay, with the broad production forte of Emmit Fenn.
Matthew Chaim continues to expertly blend genre constructs on Reason, of which he says: “’Reason' is about the 'healing effects of love'... While there is a very outgoing side to me, I often get into pretty introspective and solitary modes. I enjoy my alone time, but sometimes it leads to getting lost in my own head. When that happens and I start to head down some dark rabbit hole, it is often my little vices (like weed, TV, porn, Instagram) that I so easily turn to for relief. Vices do calm those voices and accompanying emotions down, but only for a short amount of time. What I’ve learnt, however, is that it is true connection and relating to others that can actually help us heal those spaces within us that we so often distract ourselves from. It is the love in our lives that gives us the strength to heal. Ergo, love heals. Amen." As someone who spends a lot of time on my own, I whole heartedly agree. While I enjoy every moment of my solitary independence, a day with people close to me recharges my heart in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. Love heals.
Reason and Sunflower will be on Matthew Chaim’s sophomore EP this fall. Now based out of LA, he has plans to perform new tracks at upcoming dates both in Toronto and Los Angeles. His two dates in LA include a stop on September 19th at one of our favorite intimate haunts, the Hotel Cafe, as well as at Sayer’s Club on September 26th. He plays School Night in Toronto on October 28th. Stream/download Reason, here.
