Matt Martians - The Last Party

The Guardian 60

(3qtr)

Best known as co-founder of LA soul group the Internet, Matt Martians is a producer, singer and songwriter whose work deals largely in luxe, breezy sonics. On this second solo album, his immersive soul-jazz sounds are permeated by themes of letting yourself fall in love, confronting heartbreak and letting go. Martians starts out by essentially lamenting that he’s met a girl, as he wanted to be “out the game”. By the closing track he suggests his love interest wishes to get married, explaining that it’s rare for a guy like him to settle down.

At times these lyrical moments are barely audible, as though his catharsis is one he wishes to wash away in lush, longing production. There are several notable co-producers and collaborators – Mac DeMarco, for one – but Martians is at his best with Internet bandmate Steve Lacy, last seen collaborating with Vampire Weekend, especially on the gorgeous sway of standout track Movin On. Meandering, sepia-tinged and coming in at under half an hour, The Last Party feels ephemeral, like a mixtape or a sweet summer night.