Matthew Progress, the Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist has released his socially provocative new single “Doc Neville” and announced his forthcoming debut full lengthalbum God Made Dirt. Written during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Doc Neville” is an ode to the behaviors and social habits it induced – with a particular focus on those done in solitude. Anchored by a warped and woozy trap sonic helmed by Dan Only (River Tiber, a l l i e), the track features additional production from Gray Rowan (Charlotte Day Wilson, Jonah Yano) who brings bedroom pop elements as it builds into an emphatic crescendo.
Featuring a gripping and multi-syllabic delivery, Progress manipulates his limber and dexterous flow to ruminate on corporate dictatorship, corruption and conspiracy theories. Continuing what has long been a staple and signature in his work, the track also draws influence from a wide range of references. Citing Stanley Rubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut, surrealist paintings from Spanish artist Salvador Dalí and the music of Dutch-Iranian artist Sevdaliza, Matthew says:
“The song was written during the first major lockdown. The days were long and repetitive and the evening news narrative was fishy. I was focusing heavily on training, nutrition and mental health maintenance – while anticipating a dystopic future. At the time I had been watching Eyes Wide Shut a lot, staring at Dali’s The Temptation of Saint Anthony, and listening to Sevdeliza’s Human Nature on repeat (hence the references in the chorus)”.
The unveiling of “Doc Neville”arrives alongside news thatMatthew’s full length debut album God Made Dirt on the Pirates Blend recordlabelwill hit streaming services and digital retailers on November 24th. Composed of nine tracks, the project isa lyric-forward multi-genre mosaic that toggles between abstract Hip-Hop, punk, electronica, trap and psychedelic influences. The entire album has been produced in collaboration with Dan Only.
Through an apocalyptic end-of-days lens “God Made Dirt”explores the internal human dialogue between the divine and the primal self. On this intuitive journey through an ominous and gritty dimension – Earth 2023 – Progress rejects doctrine and fully embraces human complexity. He invites listeners to align with ancestors in the cosmos, resist authoritarianism, prepare for inevitable violence, claim sexual liberation while celebrating death and decay. God Made Dirt will mark Matthew Progress’ first project since his 2018 EP Slumber Magic War, which was home to standout track ‘Sip Test’ and earned critical plaudits from VICE/Noisey and Complex. Heavily influenced by surrealism, nihilism and pan-Africanist ideals,Progress’ musical endeavors began in 2014 with his debut project Night.Rhetoric. Le fog, an avante-garde track oscillating between deep house, grime, and electro-funk, would follow in 2017, premiering on The Fader. The project’s lead single “Gen Pop”, a valiantly genre-less and poignant treatise on existential dread, and communal degradation was released last month, and quickly gained support from COLORS, and UK DJ’s Mary Anne Hobbs and Jamz Supernova who both played it on their respective BBC Radio 6 Music shows.
