Matthew Lee and the Standbys – My, Oh My (2025)
Described as a “…retro-leaning indie rock band…”, Matthew Lee and the Standbys offer those songs that older punks and rockers adore; the anthems to shout out loud, overtaking contemporary mundanity. Joining the talents of Matthew Lee (vocals and guitar), Nick West (bass and backing vocals), James Collins (drums), and Kevin Ray (keys and synths), the NYC-based foursome saunter through various realms of rock, picking up a sonic bouquet of vivid colours. Join us as we dive headfirst into their latest single, ‘My, Oh My’.
Following the well-received ‘Falling Apart’ and ‘Carousel’, ‘My, Oh My’ is the final lead-up to Matthew Lee and the Standbys’ debut full-length album, Black Book. Deemed “Snow Patrol with balls” by their producer, ‘My, Oh My’ is a bold drag back to the rock scene of the 90s. Combining crashing drums with a dynamic bass, soaring guitars and twinkles of keyboards slipping through the melody, the single tosses you about in a kaleidoscopic sonic hurricane. Twirling about, each rock-driven note blasts past your ears; however, as much as the swirl is a little blurring, there are fairy-light twinkles so you both feel the ferocity and enjoy the grinning effect of that shimmer.
For me, ‘My, Oh My’ is a harmonic rock symphony charged with raw energy, but it is Lee’s vocals that make the song soothing and touch my heart. Rough and gritty, with a simultaneous warmth and understanding, Lee hugs you close with his voice as The Standbys offer a big grin, welcoming you like an old group of friends in a bubble of hard-hitting music.
‘My, Oh My’ is a song of raw emotion – really, “Snow Patrol with balls” – yet, there is a duality between reckoning and vulnerability. The lads explain: “Carrying the urgency and chaotic charm of Frank Turner with the melodic honesty and wistful simplicity of The Weakerthans… the song captures the tension between reflection and momentum; an artist reckoning with where they’ve been while charging headlong into what comes next…”
Find out more about Matthew Lee and the Standbys on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, SoundCloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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