The solo project of Milford based independent singer songwriter Matt, ‘A Starving Viking’ has a certain sensibility to it that feels so sincere and unfiltered that you’re drawn into the poignancy of his lyricism as much so as you are left feeling enchanted by the simplicity yet endearing qualities of his folksy guitar work and restrained production sensibilities. Recorded in the comfort of his garage, The Milksop EP was written and recorded at the start of the pandemic when Matt was dealing with some self-confidence and imposter syndrome issues. You get that strange combination of garage and folk coming out quite clearly across the record, an interesting confluence that has style which is thoroughly unique and utterly imaginative all at once.
The record compiles and illustrates internal dialogues, conflicts that Matt has within his own head. It’s immediately relatable and eloquent to any over thinker, myself well included in that demographic, to see how we deal with these internal battles which leave us perpetually trying to balance all the negative thoughts we have with a much more powerful need for self-confidence and optimism. ‘I am lost but not alone’.
A Starving Viking has made a fan out of me almost immediately. Writing this right now at a stage in life where I feel conflicted, constantly thinking of what’s wrong with my own head, wondering where life is taking me, and feeling eternally unsure of my own worth and capabilities even if success is staring me in the face, ‘The Milksop EP’ so wonderfully articulates these feelings of self-doubt with a compelling and endearing tone to leave you entirely at bliss. If you’re left unmoved by the end of ‘Morality Play’, there’s something starkly wrong.