Matt Elliott delivers a sombre album where guitars and cello serve intimate texts on human failure. A melancholic yet strangely comforting work.

'Failing Songs', Matt Elliott's new opus, follows on from 'Drinking Songs' whilst marking a significant evolution in the artist's career. This album establishes Matt Elliott as a genuine songwriter who fully embraces his voice and shares, for the first time so explicitly, deeply personal and dark lyrics.
The work constitutes an uncompromising report of failure, where subtle melodies contrast with the harshness of the words. Between despair and cold anger, the texts denounce the military-liberal evolution of the contemporary world that the artist viscerally rejects. The compositions, both sublime and melancholic, bitter and sad, are imbued with Slavic and Greek musical influences.
The guitar establishes itself as the instrument of choice, omnipresent yet often accompanied by the languor of the cello. The sonorities at times evoke Dimitri Shostakovich or Pascal Comelade's early work, although Matt Elliott claims not to be familiar with the latter.
The album was primarily recorded at home, with the exception of the violin parts performed by Patricia Arguelles Martinez, which were captured in the village church over several nights. Chris Cole completes the ensemble on drums.
Matt Elliott himself explains that this album addresses our failures, both personal and political, reflecting his view that humanity is fundamentally a failure as a species. This dark perspective translates into compositions that, despite their sadness, deeply touch the listener.
'Failing Songs' is one of those rare records that can be appreciated both in solitude and in company, an album that grips you and doesn't let go. It belongs to that category of works that one keeps within reach, right next to the CD player, as listening to it becomes a daily necessity. A celebration of sad music that, paradoxically, expands the hearts of those who listen to it.

Track Listing

• Our Weight In Oil
• Chains
• The Seance
• The Failing Song
• Broken Bones
• Desamparado
• Lone Gunman Required
• Good Pawn
• Compassion Fatigue
• The Ghost Of Maria Callas
• Gone
• Planting Seeds

Additional Details

Label: Ici d'Ailleurs

Genre: Folk

Run Time: 47 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 06/06/25

UPC: 3700077601908