Roots Music Report

About the Band

Matell, a talented R&B/Soul, Pop, and House artist from California, has made a significant impact on the music scene. "Skull: Shadows" has already been certified as a Top 100 Soul Album on Amazon's Newest Releases for the Week of November 03, 2025.

Some critical reviews of Matell's album Skull: Shadows have been published in advance of its October 28, 2025, release date. The reviews highlight the project's unusual mix of classic cover songs and different musical styles, which has generated early positive reception. 

Key takeaways from early reviews

• Positive reception for cover choices and style: Publications such as Tinnitist have covered the album and praised Matell's "new spin on some of your favourite classic pop and rock cuts". The covers encompass a diverse range of genres, including R&B, pop, EDM, and house.
• Specific tracks have been highlighted:
  • An EDM version of Crystal Gayle's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" and a retro-house version of Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing" are mentioned as album highlights.
  • Matell's cover of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" received special attention. It features a new R&B groove and is noted for being one of the rare times Dylan has allowed changes to a composition.
• Unique collaborations noted: Reviews mention a track with DJ Tremolo, a dance-floor remix of Matell's song "Honest Man".
• The album's unique sound is recognized: Some critics acknowledge the album's unconventional blend of different eras and genres, which creates a "darkly claustrophobic, haunting gem" out of classic tracks. 

Overall, the early critical response suggests that the album is an inspired, albeit eclectic, set of cover tunes that has been positively received by critics who have had early access. More reviews are expected following the official release. 

Beyond Matell's cover of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young," several other tracks from the album Skull: Shadows have received critical acclaim for their unexpected and inventive reinterpretations. 

Tracks praised by critics

• "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue": The country-pop classic by Crystal Gayle is transformed into a "striking and surprisingly soulful EDM revamp". The Tinnitist review highlights this as the album's opening track and one of its standout moments.
• "Shadow Dancing": Originally a disco hit by Andy Gibb, Matell reinvents it as a "funky retro-house version" that has been specifically mentioned in reviews for its successful transformation.
• "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much": The Bobby Womack gem is re-imagined as a "moody, mind-expanding slice of psychedelic soul and R&B," and it has been singled out for praise.
• "Is It Still Good To You": Matell takes on the Ashford & Simpson track and, according to critics, transforms it into a "darkly claustrophobic, haunting gem". 

Notable remix track

• "Honest Man": While not a cover, the album features a dance-floor remix of Matell's own song with DJ Tremolo. The song, written for the late pop star Aaron Carter, has received attention for its inclusion and collaboration

Matell's musical style contributed to the critical acclaim for Skull: Shadows through his talent for reimagining classic tracks across different eras and genres. Critics have praised his ability to transform familiar songs into something new and unexpected, using a varied palette that spans R&B, psychedelic soul, EDM, and house music. 

Inventive and eclectic arrangements

Matell's willingness to experiment with the source material is a defining element of his style. Instead of producing faithful covers, he infuses each track with a new identity, showing a creative range that appeals to modern listeners. 

• Genre-blending: He takes songs from one genre and fully recontextualizes them into another. This is seen in his conversion of Crystal Gayle's country-pop track "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" into a "striking and surprisingly soulful EDM revamp".
• Mood creation: His inventive approach allows him to build unique atmospheres. He transforms the legendary Ashford & Simpson track "Is It Still Good to You" into a "darkly claustrophobic, haunting gem," demonstrating his ability to change a song's entire mood.
• Modern sensibilities: His use of contemporary styles like EDM and house music keeps the album from sounding like a purely retrospective project. Andy Gibb's disco hit "Shadow Dancing" is given a modern twist with a "funky retro-house version".
• Respectful reinterpretation: The critical acclaim for his cover of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" is a testament to his sensitive approach. By securing Dylan's permission to alter the composition, something the folk icon has rarely allowed, Matell showed respect while still adding a smoldering R&B groove and plaintive vocals. 

A diverse and dynamic sonic palette

Unlike artists who might release a covers album with a consistent sound, Matell showcases his dexterity by exploring different sonic landscapes for each track. 

• R&B and Soul: In his cover of Bobby Womack's "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much," Matell delivers a "moody, mind-expanding slice of psychedelic soul and R&B" that expands on the original's rich roots.
• Lush production: His arrangements are not just about changing the genre but creating a richer, more detailed production. Tracks like "Forever Young" benefit from this, incorporating elements like whistling synthesizers. 

A bold move in a crowded field

Cover albums are a well-worn staple in the music industry. By demonstrating such creative range and taking bold risks with beloved classics, Matell sets himself apart. Critics recognized this fearlessness and praised the inspired nature of the project, highlighting his ability to surprise listeners by making each track his own. 

Matell's vocal delivery on Skull: Shadows enhanced the emotional impact of the covers by moving beyond mere imitation to offer personal, vulnerable, and often haunting interpretations. He used a variety of vocal choices—from tone and texture to phrasing—to give new life to well-known songs, allowing listeners to connect with the tracks in a fresh, unexpected way. 

Vulnerability and depth

In his cover of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young," Matell's vocals are described as "plaintive". By stripping away some of the ruggedness of the original, he draws out a quieter, more personal side of the song. This choice emphasizes the delicate, hopeful sentiment behind the lyrics, making the message of encouragement and protection feel more intimate. The vulnerability in his voice adds a new emotional dimension, offering a tender and heartfelt prayer rather than a sturdy anthem. 

Creating mood and atmosphere

Matell's vocal choices, when combined with his innovative arrangements, were key to building specific emotional atmospheres.

• Haunting and claustrophobic: On the Ashford & Simpson track "Is It Still Good to You," his vocals help transform the song into a "darkly claustrophobic, haunting gem". By leaning into a moody, understated delivery, he evokes a deeper sense of introspection and unease than the original, adding a layer of psychological complexity to the lyrical questioning.
• Seductive and playful: In contrast, his take on Sylvester's "Do You Wanna Funk" is described as a "seductive spin". Here, his voice is likely used to evoke a playful, inviting tone, fitting the dance-floor sensibility of his retro-house arrangement. This demonstrates his ability to adapt his vocal persona to serve the emotional needs of each track. 

Reimagining iconic performances

By avoiding direct mimicry of iconic original singers, Matell's vocal delivery allows listeners to hear the songs without the weight of their legacy, focusing instead on his interpretation.

• Empathy and introspection: Instead of imitating Bobby Womack's voice on "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much," Matell's vocals create a "moody, mind-expanding slice of psychedelic soul and R&B". His delivery focuses on the lyrical introspection, guiding the listener into a more contemplative emotional state.
• Freshness in nostalgia: For songs like Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing," his vocals, paired with the "funky retro-house version," make a nostalgic song feel new again. His voice is a fresh element in the recontextualized soundscape, preventing the cover from being a simple throwback and instead presenting it as a new piece of musical art. 

By using his voice not just to sing but to reinterpret and guide the emotional journey of each song, Matell turned Skull: Shadows into a critically acclaimed project that found fresh emotional resonance in a collection of classic tracks. 

In 2024, Matell enjoyed the success of four consecutive number-one singles from "Shadows," which features an impressive lineup of R&B/Pop covers. These include classics like "Joy" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb, "Silly" by Deniece Williams, "Is It Still Good to You" by Ashford and Simpson, "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand, and many more... a unique version of "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan. This particular cover is groundbreaking as it marks the first time Dylan has granted permission for someone to reinterpret his work. Matell's rendition of "Forever Young," which showcases a fresh composition, climbed to No. 1 on the Rock and Alternative Rock charts, and he is immensely proud of this significant achievement.

"Honest Man," one of Matell's most powerful tracks, serves as a poignant pop ballad released after Aaron Carter's passing, who was instrumental in its creation. The song resonated deeply with listeners and soared to No. 2 on the Amazon Music Best Selling House charts. Additionally, Matell ventured into the EDM genre with tracks like "You Are the One," "Something To FK With," and "Text." In remembrance of Aaron, Matell released these tracks to celebrate their shared passion for music and to highlight Carter's unwavering support for emerging artists, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire and uplift through Matell's work.

Discography

Skull: Shadows Details Label: Self-Release Genres: R&B Styles: Soul Songs on the Album Track # Song Title Style Genre 1 Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Soul R&B 2 Shadow Dancing - Soul R&B 3 Honest Man (DJ Tremelo Remix) - Soul R&B 4 I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much - Soul R&B 5 Silly - Soul R&B 6 Is It Still Good to You - Soul R&B 7 Forever Young - Soul R&B 8 Joy - Soul R&B 9 The Way We Were - Soul R&B 10 Do You Wanna Funk - Soul R&B

Shadows Details Label: Self-Release Genres: Electronic, R&B, Easy Listening Styles: Electronic, Dance, Soul, House, Downtempo, Easy Listening Songs on the Album Track # Song Title Style Genre 1 Joy - Soul R&B 2 Honest Man Soul R&B 3 Shadow Dancing (Sam Leuis Remix) Soul R&B 4 You Are the One - Dance Electronic 5 Forever Young - Soul R&B 6 Honest Man (DJ Tremelo Remix) - Soul R&B 7 Forever Young (Jazz Fusion) Soul R&B 8 Something to Fk with (Sam Leuis Remix) - Electronic Electronic 9 Honest Man (A Fine Azz Man) - Downtempo Electronic 10 Forever Young (Instrumental) - Easy Listening Easy Listening