Max Matthew – “Fire Away”
Max Matthew – “Fire Away” – Single Review
There’s potential here for sure.
So far, if I was to judge from this first week of music reviewed here at our site, it seems like a year for Experimental Electro and good ol’ shiny Pop. Max Matthew represents the latter, but you’d definitely pick up on that with a single spin through their new single “Fire Away.” From what I’ve gathered, this band is comprised of two long-time friends, Max Cappello and Matt DePaolo…hence Max Matthew. I like the name to be honest with ya…very fortunate for them that they didn’t have to think about it too much and their two first names simply fit together in a tight way that’s as entwined as their destiny is. Because it’d be pretty tough to split up the band without having to find another Max or Matt to replace whomever would leave, right? It’d be way easier to stay together and find a way to the top as united as their moniker implies they are now. For what it’s worth, it sounds like they should…they’re still only about less than two years into releasing their music on a professional level from what it looks like in the world according to Spotify…but even though there is still room for them to evolve, they’ve got plenty to build with as they continue to make their way towards the spotlight & onto those Pop charts out there.
As far as my ears are concerned, their main strength is the right one to have – and it’s their songwriting. With respect to “Fire Away,” there’s not a thing about its structure, layout, and hooks that I’d even remotely dare to change…they’ve got the idea they wanted to pursue dialed right in, and a song like this has all the ingredients you wanna find in great Pop music. It’s a memorable tune to say the least, and obviously that’s what you want in something put out as a single…the hooks they’ve written into “Fire Away” are genuinely exceptional and really reveal the high potential they’ve got in their craft. When it comes to the music, I definitely dig what I hear as well. Again, from what I gather, these two dudes are doing everything on their own, so props to them on getting everything about the production and mix on the music sounding so spectacular. It’s essentially a Maroon 5 type of tune when it comes right down to it, and I suppose anyone that knows anything about Pop music would be proud to hear that comparison.
It is however, a comparison that comes naturally, but also ends up feeling a little problematic. I’ll put it to you this way…I’m not opposed to the vocals in Max Matthew, but I would definitely identify that part of their music as having the most opportunity for growth. When it comes to the energy, ideas, hooks, and technique…don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of positives to work with and I’m pretty damn happy with what I find in the vocals of Max Matthews in that regard. For myself personally, what I questioned most in listening to “Fire Away” was whether or not the tone of the vocals was the right call to have made more than anything else. On my first initial spin, I thought for sure that the tone of the vocals clashed a bit too much in tandem with the music, and I wasn’t certain it was the right fit. Multiple spins later, and I’m still not entirely sure that there wouldn’t be another approach to the vocals that could benefit this song a little more…in fact, I think there is still a whole other level of potential they could reach with a single-worthy track like “Fire Away” if they continued to explore what they can do with it.
Having said all that, I’m more than confident they’ll find their way based on everything I’ve heard. It’s natural to hear more potential and possibility within the early part of a career than completely polished results and flawless material…so don’t get it twisted, I ain’t hatin’ – I’m just advising and shining a light on where they’ve got the most room to evolve as they go. Their songwriting instincts and remarkable execution…their attention to the finer details within the music and production…all of these elements will stack up to victory after victory for this duo in the long run. “Let me take my shot…let me make my play” – I’m all about it, and I support that, and I’m willing to sign off on Max Matthew doing exactly that – BUT…if they’re gonna do that, I feel like they’ve gotta make sure they’re projecting the confidence that they know they’re on the right track. I’m still hearing a bit of indecision from the mic, and that’s what I’m talkin’ about when I’m referring to the space for them to evolve. It’s right there in the core belief of their abilities…and they should have all the confidence in the world that they can deliver on the strengths of their ideas. All I’d advise Max Matthew on at this point in their career is to really believe in what they can do, because they’ve got everything they need to succeed. Now it’s all about getting into the vocal booth, taking a big ol’ breath, closing your eyes, and locking right into the moment…you’re not singing for one, you’re singing for hundreds of thousands…that’s the performance you need to bring the full potential out of a song like “Fire Away.” They’re not far off the mark at all, and certainly not so far that any of us would stop spinning a track like “Fire Away” either. Much to their credit, the more that I spun my own way through this single over the past couple days, the more I felt like it was truly impressive how much they’ve been able to accomplish within this first couple years of making music.
They’re at the point where things get tougher though, not easier…depending on who they are and what their relationship is like within the band. Objectivity is the real key here…sometimes those hard conversations need to be had, and if either one of’em can do something better than they have, that is gonna need to be said in a band of only two members. No reason to feel insulted, no need for the ego to get involved – you’re on the same team, and ultimately, I’m assuming that both Max and Matthew want the exact same things when it comes to their career and their music. So in each one of those tough conversations, where maybe one or the other hears something that could still be done a little better…like how the confidence, projection, and power in the vocals of “Fire Away” can fluctuate a bit more than it should perhaps, for example…just remember that you’re both united in what the overall goals & the endgame is, and be ready to continually work towards that. Like I said…all the right pieces are here and exist within the two members they’ve got…now it’s all about finding the right ways to get the best outta themselves, from every angle, every time. They just gotta believe in what they do with unshakeable & unbreakable confidence as they perform – and they have every reason that they should.
Find out more about Max Matthew from this multi-link here: https://linktr.ee/maxmatthew
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