Matador

Matador is Gaz Coombes's second solo album since the demise of Supergrass. Those who admire the muscularity that propelled that band and the economy of Coombes's songwriting will not be disappointed by songs such as To the Wire. They may, however, be shocked at its opening line: "I want to cut myself/ Cut myself down." Similarly, Detroit's krautrock patterns bubble along prettily, but "there is panic in my heart" is an unsettling refrain. Matador's sound textures are pulled together from a wide range of sources: a gospel feel on the chorus of 20/20, a touch of Neu! in The English Ruse. There's a trace of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, not only in Matador's use of slapback vocal echo, but also in its raw, confessional lyrics. Coombes's voice has always been a powerful pop instrument, thrillingly on the edge of hysteria. On Matador, it's also a howl of pain. (The Guardian)

Solo album number two from former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes, following 2012's 'Here Come The Bombs' (review), is a surprisingly diverse affair.

Taking in everything from buzzing synth tracks, Latin-inflected passages, stirring soundtrack orchestrations, heart-baring soulfulness and gospel harmonies, 'Matador' sees Coombes running the show with a sense of authoritative self-direction and little heed for presenting a uniform style.

'Matador' is an object lesson in letting Britpop mature gracefully, with Coombes operating a million miles away from the wry anthems that put Supergrass at the centre of a post-'Parklife' musical boom. The anthems are still here, rest assured; they're less obvious, but definitely no less compelling. (Mat Smith, clashmusic.com)