There is a kindness that percolates inside the voice of Matt Wheeler. Its inviting and calming in a way, but curious nonetheless. Wheeler and his band, dubbed “Vintage Heart”, just release a self titled record last week. Self-described as “the next step in our progression as an orchestral, lyrical folk band“, this first tune we dove into on the record is a pure example of just that. Driven by the content of the writing and quite large in terms of the arrangements contained within, “Safer” is a great illustration that the band is accomplishing just what they are setting out after.
The song has a bit of an Andrew Bird-esque quality to it, with a plucked ringing of strings throughout it. The arrangement is compelling, and not archetypal. As the songwriter sings “stone can’t read you in there” the song doesn’t go where one might expect, keeping the listener engaged, on their toes in a way. There is a mystery to the balance struck in the music in that way. Where Wheeler’s vocal is collected and pleasant, the choices made in how the song moves and flows latches onto you. The further you get into the tune the more the emotion of it all presents itself. The 2 minute and 18 second mark explodes into a more passionate angle in the song as he sings out “where do you go?“. It is that building, rising and falling and push and pull that makes this a worthy listen.
So listen up.