Rocktrospectiva: The Decent "Matter" Turns 10

Released on 29 January 2016 "Matter" was second studio album by Jean-Philip Grobler—largely known under the pseudonym St. Lucia, the album spawned four singles "Dancing On Glass", "Physical", "Love Somebody" & "Help Me Run Away". 

The album namely had a similar synth pop sound to the preceding album When The Night. There were some indie pop stylings thrown in to created some variety, but  in certain way, the only major change that happened was him stripping out most of the lush tropical atmosphere that helped him stand out in the first place and pushing his mild 80s influences to the forefront. 

The remarkable tracks here were "The Winds of Change", where the listener was encouraged to embrace themselves to keep searching for inspiration, the listener was supposed to use moments of discomfort in their everyday lives to look for ways to learn more about who we are, and to, quite literally, take our thoughts to where the wind takes them. This idea of pushing boundaries was a common theme throughout the record, because "Matter" was always changing, becoming attracted to new elements, and constantly shifting, even though certain objects may appear stagnant.  

But there was a one-of-a-kind track "Dancing on Glass" encouraged the listener to embrace the changing of chemicals in our minds that may cause us to change our past opinions about ideas that seem so certain.  “Dancing on Glass” wanted to express our full selves to others, even though it may seem risky in the moment to expose our demons.  "Love Somebody", where hewanted us to follow the lessons he learned from African-American music of being UN-self-concious.  We should be doing things that we want to do, rather than following society’s preconceived notions of what is successful and acceptable.  Music is not meant to be judged, it is meant to be expressive.

In “Matter”, the lyrics often pointed to exposing ourselves to our secrets, in the hope of finding out how we truly feel.  Another common lyric from a good amount of St. Lucia songs is about how we are often more comfortable during the night.  Night, and darkness, often gives us a sense of self-comfort because others are not able to see our actions as clearly.  "Rescue Me", night was seen as a rescuer from others judging our opinions, because we can seclude ourselves and hide behind the darkness.  

The single "Help Me Run Away" was a fantastic driving song, this song wanted us to find trusting friends to encourage us to run away from our shadows and demons.  The same theme of self-confidence is echoed, and we don’t need to sell ourselves short.  

The album was a strange thing, it had their highs and lows but in general it was had been much more appealing as a whole package, not a horrible album perhaps the thing was this record have had coming after a tremendous album which in certain way left this in minor position unfortunately. 

 

Matter Track List: 

 

1. Do You Remember

2. Home

3. Dancing On Glass

4. Physical

5. Game 4 U

6. The Winds Of Change

7. Love Somebody

8. Rescue Me

9. Stay

10. Help Me Run Away

11. Always