Maiden Name Coming off of their critically acclaimed last record of We Are In This Together, Susong have returned with a vibrant new EP, called matae, which means “to give up”. In contrast to their opening statement of coming together, Michael and Matt Susong explore the depths of the concept of surrendering, while still building a community of getting artists to collaborate together. Pablo Vega (The Workshop) engineered and mixed the new EP, while Thomas Gleaner designed the artwork. On this 4-song EP, Susong not only expanded upon the feelings of letting go but they also created a world filled with hope and wonder.
The EP opens with the lead single of “Maiden Name” that features some great atmospheric build up with guitars and piano before the vocals kick in, and it has a great tone throughout the key track. The vocals are smoothly delivered with a bit of a somber tone to them, but it matches the overall vibe and concept of the record nicely. Susong reminds me a bit of a blend of bands like Death Cab For Cutie, paired with the introspection of The War On Drugs, and a beating heart fully entrenched in wanting to see a better world for everyone. After the soft, but reflective opening statement, Susong gets into a nice groove with “You Can’t Stay Here Forever” that features guest vocals from Ariadne. The song features some really cool synths and production that are sure to resonate with fans of synth-pop and William Ryan Key’s recent solo work, as a comparison.
”Broken French” reminded me a bit of the jangly guitar pop of Fountains of Wayne, while the acoustic guitar and piano paired with the great vocal performance found here showcase the potential of Susong as a band. The great storytelling in the lyrics are easy to follow, relatable, and filled with passion behind each word. The EP closer of “Tethered” features a great opening guitar-riff that helps with setting the landscape for the two-person band to explore. As the final song unfolds, Susong quickly showcase why their unique style of music is turning more heads in their direction. When the heavy synths kick in during the song’s crescendo, I was immediately transported into their world that would’ve worked well on the soundtrack for Stranger Things. matae is an EP that is worth your time, and Susong are a key artist to watch as we turn the page on 2025.