Matthew Houck, the artist behind Phosphorescent, has debuted his latest album called Revelator with Verve Records. The nine-track work touches on complex issues such as familial relationships and the struggles of navigating life. The album delves into the unspoken truths that come with living a seemingly perfect life and how people tend to drift from one another and themselves. Despite the difficulties, Houck finds a way to navigate through it all and delivers a message of reinvention and reclamation throughout the album.
The video for “Revelator” has already been released, and it is a combination of ragged and ethereal sonic blend that showcases wiping the slate clean and starting afresh. In the video, Houck is alone on a boat, steadily navigating the river of life, while surrounded by dusky twilight. The imagery of the video blends beautifully with the cathartic message of the song.
The artist spoke about how the song “Revelator” shaped the album, stating that it was the moment he realized he was writing a complete album. He explains that until he wrote the song, he was floundering around with various song bits stuck in different phases with no clear idea of what he was doing. However, when he wrote “Revelator,” he finally saw the big picture and understood what the album could be.
He adds that he struggled with the title of the album, Revelator, as it has a biblical and genre context that doesn’t apply to his music or this album. Nevertheless, the title came to him, and he was sure that the album couldn’t be named anything else. He believes that “Revelator” is the best song he has ever written, and its message embodies the essence of the album.
With the release of Revelator, Phosphorescent joins the ranks of artists who use their music to explore intricate and complex topics, garnering attention across the globe. The intricacies of life, love and family are not lost on the album, and its message is a reminder that hard-won reclamation, reinvention and revelation can be achieved, even in life’s day-to-day experiences
Read the full article on Rough Trade here: Read More