Matthew Heller’s latest record, Criticism, Judgement, Heartbreak, and Peril, marks a significant moment in his evolution as an artist—a point where his self-reflection meets his bold commitment to examining the complexities of the human experience. These songs dig into themes of growth, discomfort, and a deep yearning for connection. It’s a raw and honest exploration of what it means to wrestle with one’s place in the world, and how to navigate a life filled with contradictions. Heller isn’t afraid to face the uncomfortable truths head-on, whether it’s his own struggles or the broader issues he contemplates. Each song on the record invites the listener to join him on this journey, to reflect alongside him, and to find resonance in shared human experience.

When I'm With You -  DP master v1 - 16 bit

Walking the line between intimate bedroom pop and an arena anthem, ‘Scar’ marks the beginning of the band’s most ambitious chapter to date.

Scar

Silvertide Tambourines

"Lonely Age"

Drifting through life, full of vacant replies
Wandering lost, like a motherless child
Not a word to say, in this lonely age
Wanna look away, go back to sleep
Accept defeat, flee in retreat, disguised

Once I could say, I was willing to try
Seeking the source, for a meaningful life
Now I pretend, just to claim I belong
Safely in step, with the vacuous throngs

Heaven knows I’d never make it
So pathetic that I ever tried to fake it
Graduate of voluntary mind-enslavement
Flew the coop and joined the troops,
A simple sleuth
Reporting from the lonely age now

Not a word to say, in this lonely age
Try to look away and, go back to sleep
Admit defeat, flee in retreat, disguised

Caught in a lie, that I’d gladly concede
Choosing a side, isn’t easy for me

Cause heaven knows I’d never make it
So pathetic that I ever tried to fake it
Graduate of voluntary mind-enslavement
Threw the coup, negotiated truth’s abatement

(Patrick Bateman)

And heaven knows we’d never make it
So pathetic that we ever tried to fake it
Graduates of voluntary mind-enslavement
Flew the coop, and joined the troops
Still put to use, consulting for the lonely age now

Written by Christian Carpenter and Derek Barber
Recorded by Robert Shelton at Tiny Telephone in Oakland, CA
Mixed by Jake Aron
Mastered by Bijan Sharifi 

Christian Carpenter: Vocals, Electric Bass, OBX, Dx7, Drum Machine Programming, Eventide H910 live effects processing
Anthony Ferraro: ARP 2600, Hammond B3 Organ, Studiologic Sledge 
Derek Barber: Slide Electric Guitar
Mark Clifford: Vibraphones
Andrew Maguire: Bongos, Shaker
Geneva Harrison: Drums

Nihilist funk indie groover with insightful, precise lyrics, hooky choruses, and crafty word-play.

Lonely Age

Melle - 2016 Souvenir

Lyrics:
 
My heart in the sun, I lay it out to dry
It’s 8:23, so baby take your time
Shoes on the floor, honey the water’s fine
No one’s gonna find us today, you’re all mine
 
I’m fucking around on the stylophone
You take a picture of me, you’re wearing my cologne
Get back in the car, got 20-something miles to go
One eye one you, one on the road
 
I love you more now summer’s here 
When that April rain it disappears
May 27th’s near
I fly back through the years
you’re my 2016 souvenir

2 cups of styrofoam, my diet of Diet Coke
We’re working hard, but baby ain’t it nice to know
No matter where we are, our life’s a holiday
It doesn’t matter we live, you’re my only home 
 
Somebody told me this would be a bad idea
But here we are still swinging from the chandelier
 
I see the gold, gold grass and my bare feet in the sand 
And the children flying kites and the grandmas on their bikes 
And they’re melting in the sun and I’m staring at the clouds in the sky 
And in the mirrors in your eyes and you

I love you more now summer’s here 
When that April rain it disappears
May 27th’s near
I fly back through the years
You’re my 2016 souvenir

Oh, souvenir
You’re my 2016 souvenir





2016 Souvenir

"Laniakea" traces the vast gravitational highway that binds our local universe — not as something distant, but as a living presence. It's a meditation on the cosmic web that holds galaxies in its flow, where dark matter moves unseen and ancient forces shape eternity. A song for those who feel the pull of the great unknown, and dare to follow it.

Threads of light

Laniakea

Indie Pop, Dream Pop, Hypnagogic Pop, Jangle Pop, Neo-Psychedelica, Bedroom Pop, Indie Rock, Indie, Alternative

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Had Another Mare

Instrumental Intro]
(gentle acoustic & lead guitar harmonies)

⸻

[Bridge]
Your voice – so warm, so mesmerizing,
Still echoes deep inside my mind.
I’d listen to your words forever,
Each time I hear them, I rewind.

Just two words – “my love,”
The ones you said to me
When I was too afraid to speak.

⸻

[Instrumental Intermezzo]

⸻

[Bridge]
You waited by the town square clock,
While I was late and running wild,
Wind in your hair, a dream in your eyes,
Looking like a fearless child.

Sweating but smiling, you didn’t leave —
We met again, hearts on fire.
And that’s when you first whispered softly:
“I love you” — words that never tire.

⸻

[Bridge – reprise]
You waited by the town square clock,
With tangled hair and dreams so free,
I still remember every second —
The way you turned and smiled at me.

⸻

[Instrumental Guitar Solo]
(melodic lead with emotional bends and slides)

⸻

[Bridge – reprise / final]
Your voice – so warm, so mesmerizing,
Still plays like a song in my mind.
And I repeat those words in silence,
Again and again, through time.

⸻

[Instrumental Outro]
(fade out with layered guitar picking and soft ambient chords)

two-worlds ( 2 )

Fading Lines

cryBABY

There is no if nor how, there is only now

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Primitive Painter