Matt Costa

Matt Costa's 2013 self-titled fourth studio album represents a significant stylistic pivot. Moving away from the 'Jack Johnson-adjacent' surf-folk label that defined his early career, Costa traveled to Glasgow to record with producer Tony Doogan (known for his work with Belle & Sebastian and Mogwai). The result is a deeply atmospheric chamber pop record heavily indebted to the 1960s baroque pop of The Left Banke and The Zombies. The album is characterized by its extensive use of the Glasgow Festival Strings, which provide a lush, cinematic backdrop to Costa's songwriting. Critics noted the album's departure from his California roots toward a more 'Old World' aesthetic, praising the sophisticated arrangements and the cohesive, melancholic tone. It stands as the most musically ambitious project in his catalog, prioritizing texture and mood over the radio-friendly hooks of his debut.