Originally, he was going to be either a comic and/or a magician. Deciding he was terrible at both, the Brooklyn, New York-based singer-songwriter, Matt Nakoa chose music. It worked out pretty well too, cuz the guy is touring—constantly—from coast to coast.
“…life is confusing, bloody, angry, and blissful all at once, and it’s all gonna be alright.”
His previous efforts—which, by the way, are wonderful expression in acoustic guitar-oriented pop—include 2012’s Light In The Dark, and 2013’s A Dozen Other Loves. Be sure to check them out as they both serve as preludes to his forthcoming 14-track full-length album, Casting Shadows, for which we’ve been granted the pleasure of checking out its lead-off single, Touch & Go.
With a quintessential throwback R&B sound which features Nakoa’s lively made-for-the-genre vocals sharing a dance with just the right quantity of bluesy-electric licks, the track feels like Timberlake cut a track with Mayer—a few decades back. All in all, what we have here is a truly encouraging sign of what pop could once again become in this classic tale of the tragic melding of love and ambition…
“Nobody told you it was easy
Nobody said that love is safe
One night you’re craving deeper meaning, the next you’re planning your escape…
…and once your childhood dreams did gleam like diamonds in the sky
But it’s been so long since you’ve seen beyond the smog at night
Now you can’t stand to be alone
But you can’t handle trust
If you ain’t got time for dancing slow
then there ain’t no time for us
Because it’s touch & go…”
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Jason Mraz meets Justin Timberlake, with a dash of John Mayer…
BELOW: Listen to Matt Nakoa’s new single, Touch & Go, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Matt Nakoa by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!