Sacred Hills

Released in late 2012 as a precursor to his self-titled 2013 album, Sacred Hills serves as a minimalist bridge in Matt Costa's discography. While his earlier work often leaned into breezy surf-folk and his later work explored more complex orchestral arrangements, this EP is a study in restraint. Recorded with a focus on analog warmth and tape saturation, the four tracks emphasize the natural resonance of acoustic guitars and Costa's gentle, unforced vocal style. The title track, a brief instrumental-leaning sketch, anchors the EP's thematic focus on natural landscapes and quiet introspection. Critically, it was seen as a return to the 'folkier' roots of his debut, though with a more mature, weathered perspective. The EP was notably distributed through NoiseTrade, signaling a more direct-to-fan, independent approach during this period of his career.