The Siren by MATARE is a alt rock track with heavy gothic influences telling the story of a siren beckoning people to the depths. Released on Valentine’s Day, the track seems to lend itself to the metaphor of a wrong relationship and a wrong partner, emotionally drawing us into the depths. The guitar was the first thing that stood out to me about this project. The clarity of the different elements and how well they all fit together makes the track stand a cut above in the genre.

The way the lead guitar explores the vastness of the melodic landscape while another guitar rises and falls through the song’s classic motif perfectly brings forth the imagery of the dark, unsettling atmosphere the track is narratively presenting. I love it when a song’s narrative feels connected to its melody and The Siren is an excellent example of this. Another layer of guitar that stood out was the rhythm guitar. This element is tricky to master because it transcends both the rhythm and the melody. As a foundational element to both the rhythm guitar excels here, the strumming feels rapid and intense, not only keeping the rhythm up but also intensifying the sinister emotional core of the track with its presence. This song has created a sonic soup the listener gets to swim in with these layers upon layers of sound. The beat is pacey and bold. I love the hiss of the percussion and the excellent use of fills to increase the intensity in certain sections. Overall, the drumming feels very receptive and sensitive to the way the rest of the track moves. There is a clear understanding within each sonic element of its place within the broader picture at any one given time.

Overall it is this sonic connection as well as the beautifully dark metaphoric tonality of The Siren that made this piece so unique.