minus32heartbeat is the solo music project of the multitalented songwriter, producer and instrumentalist Matt Friedlander. He is self-taught in 25 instruments and was the former lead guitarist for New York City’s band GoStation. Producing all his music independently, he explores the genres of alternative rock and ambient electronic production. He has been releasing his own music since 2023 and his 4th single “Smile + Slide Away” explores the feeling of being first smitten by love in a sombre way!
The track starts off with an ambient electronic guitar note that sets the stage for the acoustic guitars to step in and set a sombre and melancholic atmosphere. The introductory instrumentation is lengthy and gives the space to build up the track while the ethereal keys add to the simplicity of the production. The lead vocals are deep, allowing the track to lie at the intersection between soft-rock and singer-songwriter. While the electric guitar is seen rarely in the singer-songwriter soundscape, I enjoyed how subtle the guitar solo was.
The songwriting takes a narrative form and describes the event of meeting someone for the first time and the ways in which they can change your life. I enjoyed the writing’s perspective on love as light that glows and shines like a star. The overwhelming emotions one feels while being smitten and how someone whose name you hardly know can have an impact on you is explored endearingly. There is nervousness in the air about whether the other person feels the same, but the sonic palette is too calming and soothing to let the listener feel any of it!
Make sure to check out “Smile + Slide Away” by Minus32heartbeat here:
