Brighton-based Matt Finucane has been compared to Mark E Smith and Lou Reed – presumably because of his vocal stylings rather than a habit of being a miserable bastard. You can certainly hear the influence of the Salford bard and New York maverick on new single ‘Dead Artform’ from his forthcoming album Ruination (out on 30th October). Finucane has been making music for over 20 years. He says of the new album that it “marches still deeper into the neo-goth, post-punk darklands.” Sounds miserable yet thrilling.
‘Dead Artform’ is a bravely paradoxical take down of the song format. One could sensibly argue that if songs were truly dead, then ‘Dead Artform’ would not exist – it would be dead, and so would this review. But this is a review and not a sixth form philosophy essay (though as a pithy review of my review, I’ll accept it). Finucane announces, “This is a dead artform / As dead as me,” while nonetheless remaining alive for the duration of a song that very obviously exists. Its scratchy chords, swirling, reverby background, and middle eight meltdown will delight fans of The Fall, and if you’re keen on the snark of The Dandy Warhols, you’re in for a treat too.
‘Dead Artform’ is out on 2nd October on Eyeless Records
Matt Finucane: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
Review by Neil Laurenson
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | Threads | Mailing List