UK-based singer-songwriter Matthew Hallows has released his heart-fuelled debut EP 'Don't Turn Out The Lights' - out now on all major streaming platforms.
'Don't Turn Out The Lights' is an accomplishment not just in the way it showcases Matthew Hallows' singer-songwriter talents. It is also a musical rendition which chronologically depicts the different stages of a relationship through five songs, starting from the excitement and intrigue of the beginning of a budding romance, to the pain, confusion and heartfelt rawness of a breakup.
The sound of 'Don't Turn Out The Lights' ranges from moody piano ballads when the subject is going through a hard time in tracks like 'Somebody Like You', to more upbeat, catchy and bouncy tunes when love is blossoming in tracks such as 'I Can See It'.
Matthew drew on his own relationship history when writing 'Don't Turn Out The Lights', combining his personal experience and musical influences from artists including Ed Sheeran and Jason Mraz to create his powerful story-telling sound.
"Each of the songs come from a different memory which formed what I believe love looks like," he says. "Five memories from five different relationships. Four of them are my relationships, however 'Dance into the Night' is about my parents' relationship, which has always been a strong, loving constant in my life."
Like many new artists to emerge during the past year, Matthew started songwriting during the COVID-19 pandemic, using creativity as a way to support himself through the challenges of the lockdown and to support his mental health. This, combined with his love of storytelling and music has been a powerful force to drive him to create.
"Ever since I was little, I have been an avid storyteller and music provides me a perfect platform on which to do that," he says. "I spend my life in the pursuit of happiness in all its forms, and music is a big part of creating and cultivating happiness."
Matthew is not new to the writing scene though. A keen poet since his teenage years, Matthew has adopted his writing skills from poetry to lyrics, while still incorporating poetic elements and rhythm to his writing.
Matthew shows no signs of slowing down, and has ambitions to play more live shows in the coming months to promote his music organically. There's also talk of an album following the release of his EP, much of which he says is already written.
"Most of the songs are written, but some are still on their way.I don't know when they will arrive but when they do it'll be great," he says.
'Don't Turn Out The Lights' EP is out now on all major streaming platforms. It was written by Matthew Hallows and produced by The Online Recording Studio.
