If you’ve ever found yourself up late at night dealing with powerful emotions, then Falling Apart, the new single from New York City, USA-based act Matthew Lee and the Standbys, is likely to be one for you.
By Graeme Smith
“It’s inspired by a one-sided conversation I had with someone I had a thing for way back in college – I’m pretty sure it was the first night I had partied,” singer and songwriter Matt explains, “It was like 2am, I was a few drinks deep, and was forwarded to voicemail where I just spilled my guts; I’m sure it was a ten to fifteen minute ramble about everything except what I specifically wanted to say to this person. It was the first time I had experienced a debilitating level of anxiety.”
With his new song, Falling Apart, he wanted to “recreate the feeling of a one-sided, circular conversation that pushes and pulls, yet never really resolves,” and I think he’s done that. The emotional tapestry of the track hits you straight away with the vocals in particular tugging at the heartstrings.
Lyrically, the track delves deep into mental health issues, a topic spoken about more widely nowadays, but still nearly not enough. “We’re trying to spark a larger conversation about mental health, self-awareness and finding healthy ways to cope,” Matt says.
Instrumentally, we get alternative pop rock that’s cantering in the verse before becoming soaring and anthemic in the chorus. It’s a lovely use of contrast which makes the song’s crescendos stand out and heightens the feels. So, what inspired the sound?
“I grew up surrounded by old country and alternative rock—Randy Travis, The Judds, and Garth Brooks were the soundtrack of my home,” Matt says, citing some unexpected influences, “but when I had time alone, I’d throw on headphones while playing Super Mario or Zelda and lose myself in Matchbox Twenty, Everclear, and The Gin Blossoms.”
It was high school that brought his “Myspace era” and emo bands like My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco seem to be more akin to what the Matthew Lee and the Standbys sound is all about. Yet, it’s not a straight match. “With this band, and especially this project, I wanted to capture that nostalgic, worn-in feeling — songs that feel like your favourite old sweater, something you keep coming back to. I don’t know if it’s a real subgenre yet, but we’re calling it retro indie and running with it.”
Matthew Lee and the Standbys have been going for awhile but have only recently made the switch to performing originals. The band started out as a yearly cabaret, taking musical theatre songs and turning them into pop punk tunes and vice versa, styling the genre ‘broadrock.’ “It’s a really niche genre,” Matt laughs.
“About a year ago, after our Midwest tour, I decided to try my hand at writing some original tunes that fit the vibe of the band as a whole. In my experience, it’s much easier to garner interest and get booked as an original act and, ultimately, I just wanted more opportunities to play different stages with some of my best friends.”
There’ll be more retro indie to come from the band. They have an upcoming album, Black Book, with two more singles from it on the horizon. “The next couple of singles are a little more laidback, but still have some grit. Think Bush, early Coldplay, Mariana’s Trench,” Matt says.
I certainly can’t wait to hear them. Falling Apart has proven a powerful introduction to Matthew Lee and the Standbys.
For more information on anxiety disorders, treatment options and mental health resources, visit Mind UK.
Falling Apart is out now and you can give it a listen below.
