Matthew Dunn - This Is Our Future Now

Matthew Dunn

This Is Our Future Now
self-released; 2021

3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Matthew Dunn is an artist from Cardiff, Wales who has a familiar story. The artist explains: “After playing guitar and bass in bands from school until my twenties, I started a family and music took a back seat. During the first covid lockdown I started to write and record as something to keep my mind occupied and decided to release the songs to get some feedback.”

Dunn released a twelve-song album entitled This Is Our Future Now. This is primarily a rock album but he flirts with a number of different styles and approaches. The album starts off with “Metropolis” which is an accessible pop/rock song. It’s a big sounding song with reverb laced lead guitar, a steady 4/4 beat and a steady bass line. The vocals are really the focal point in this song.

“False Promised Drug” is a more funky but still a big sounding rock song with an accessible hook and a couple piano lead breakdowns. “We Will be the Words on Your Walls” slows down the BPM slightly and this song has a ballad-like quality to my ears.

The pace picks back up with “This is Our Future Now” and we get some warm emotive rock with “Collecting Enemies.” “No Love Lost” is the first shift in energy. This song starts off intimately with acoustic guitar and vocals. The song does build however with piano and although it doesn't have drums it is one of the more powerful songs on the album.

As the album progresses I can’t say there were any surprises but I can say that songwriting and delivery was consistently good. Some of the other highlights to my ears were “We're Falling to Pieces,” “Music from the Welsh Mines’ and the sincere and heartfelt closer “Hey Bliss.”

This album isn’t pushing boundaries but is cohesive, well delivered and accessible to a broad demographic. The album was recorded at his home studio and sounds good and balanced.

​Overall, I thought this an enjoyable rock album showcasing some of his skills that have laid dormant. I’m glad he was able to get these out there. Recommended.

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