When we think of music, we normally associate the work to a single individual. Regardless of any collaborative efforts, the listener will always associate the music with a recognizable face. This realization that some things are out of your control are not lost on Ajay Mathur with his latest release, “Blow My Cover,” and he chose to explore the idea by taking it as a creative challenge. After contacting musicians of all kinds and requesting features for this project, he worked to incorporate them all into this release.
“Forget About Yesterday” kicks it all off. The smooth, ramblin guitars of featured artist Richard Koechl bounce with a satisfying depth that will get your head moving. The uncommon bass drum and percussion of the guitar give the track a pulse before the drums kick in during the first chorus. The next chorus is ushered in by a psychedelic guitar solo that remains understated when rubbing up against the rest of the instruments. It’s a mysterious moment that allows the track to kick into the next gear and embrace its sunny and upbeat nature. This feel is also reflected in the lyrics, with a catchy and uplifting chorus that encourages the listener to “just do it,” follow their dreams and “stop thinking about tomorrow, and forget about yesterday.”
“Pennies to Gold” is a stand-out track. The mysterious and captivating intro that leads the listener in with ethereal guitars and birdsong. The track is a contemplative one, with powerful lyrics that dance with the weeping guitar. Hard-hitting lines stick with you, such as “How, how can I look in your eyes? Open the veil of disguise that’s your pain” and “what’s there to gain, by hiding the love that you know is the best part of what you could be?” It creates a powerful message of authenticity and perseverance that couples beautifully with the soft guitars in the track, creating a smooth flow that puts the emotional weight of it front and center.
“My World” is a track that makes an impression from the top with its bombastic intro. The heavy drums and soft synths are flanked by heavy guitar riffs and a robotic voice that repeats “our lives are dictated by tiny screens.” The deep, heavy drums are weaved in with sparky synths, creating a dark and mysterious aesthetic with a pulse-pounding edge thanks to the chattering percussion. The cherry on top of the sound is a dark and heavy guitar riff that almost feels like a signature for “My World” by the end. These elements combine with dreary and dystopian lyrics, with lines such as “there is somebody looking over your shoulder. Paranoia, that’s my name” invoking an uneasiness not seen in any other track, making in one you won’t want to miss. Ajay’s Italian bandmate Fausto Medici recorded six assorted avant-garde percussion tracks in his home in Sardinia, Italy. Ajay used them to create an apocalyptic soundscape using excerpts of tracks from the 2015 original from his album “9 to 3.”
“Walking On The Water” is another track with a bombastic intro, but it hits the ground running with a ramblin’ guitar of Richard Koechli and a catchy refrain of “walk, walkin’ on the water” to get the body of the listener moving. The free-wheeling guitar is airy and uses its catchy twang to keep the listener engaged while Ajay Mathur’s vocals carry them away with its power. Lines such as “like a raindrop that falls upon the sand. Like a feeling that has no chance. Like a feather I been trying to hang on to, I’ve been hanging on to your, I’ve been hanging on to your, I’ve been hanging on to your love, it’s true yeah” are moments where the vocal performance begins in a carefree way, only to have the power of the song come through and Mathur’s voice to rise up alongside it. It makes “Walking On The Water” an unmissable track with catchy lyrics that won’t soon leave your ears.
“Blow My Cover” is an interesting exercise for a musician. For the fan, these renditions of tracks such as “Forget About Yesterday” will be interesting to compare to their originals off of albums such as “Little Boat.” For those unfamiliar with Ajay Mathur, it serves as a great intro to his work and also shows off the appreciation for it from other artists. It makes the album one that’s easy to recommend to everyone and is absolutely jam-packed with musical charm and heart that you only need to hear to believe.
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