Atlanta-based alternative rock musician Matthew Rousseau is about to unveil his latest full-lenght record under his project MatAre, Extinction Burst, a colourful journey through post-punk and new wave. Featuring several of his past singles of the last two years, Extinction Burst is an album filled to the brim with great references, impeccable production style and heartfelt vocal delivery.
Dealing with themes rooted in deep personal experiences and emotions, the new album from MatAre stands as an expedition towards self-discovery and reflection. The American artist does a fantastic job of intertwining introspective lyricism with the urgency of the post-punk scene, perfectly illustrated by the haunting and captivating melodies of “Never-Ending” and its seamless transition into “Learned Helplessness.” Extinction Burst is a fascinating record that manages to sound immersive with the glaring intensity of its punk influences at the same time that fully gives in to the openness of new wave.
Matthew does a great job in the political aspects of Extinction Burst, an album in which he says he tried hard not to be “preachy or overly finger-wagging”. But, at the same time, he recognizes that diversity is what drives us as a society: “I am someone who relishes diversity and all types of people from different walks of life. I love this about where I live and it breaks my heart to see that being attacked”. This sense of community is woven all througout the record, a body of work that began with Matthew trying to alienate himself from the anxiety-ridden news that came shortly after the U.S. election.
“People were literally losing their lives and rights. I was very privileged that I could hide form the problems and it didn’t sit right with me. So I pulled my head out of the sand but then I got very angry and hateful towards the part of the country who relished this new government and the policies they were aggressively executing”, Matthew comments. “So, I started making music about what I was feeling, the good the bad and everything in-between. I realized I had songs about hope and love and forgiveness as well as doom and hopelessness. So, Extinction Burst, is an album about me focusing all of those emotions”, he expertly concludes.
On Extinction Burst Matthew collaborated with musicians like Gabe Wolf and Francesca Pratt, creating lush and vivid soundscapes that feel nostalgic and somewhat comforting. The artist navigates through raw emotions and dark thematics like on “That’s What People Do“, adding depth and intricate textures to his well-established sound and aesthetic. Basking in the moonlight of influences from The Cure, New Order and The Chameleons, MatAre crafted a remarkable experience of blending in oldschool late-70s dynamics with a shining new sensibility and sense of adventure.
“The Further That They Go” stands out as an electrifying take on a lovesick ballad that begs for understanding and communication, making it one of the most unique tracks on the record. Matthew balances previously heard before singles with a healthy mixture of new tracks with careful precision, making a setlist that feels like a constant surprise that bursts with a warming sense of comfort and evokes a wide array of emotions.
Wrapped in the 2010s nostalgia of Craft Spells, “Here’s Where Your Story Begins” is a hopeful track that relies on nuance and softness with cinematic drums and shimmering guitar riffs capable of taking your breath away. This is quickly followed by the punk musings of “Do What You Can” and its doomsday lyricism, backed by dynamic vocals that feel rich and incredibly well delivered.
Extinction Burst flows through multiple sides at once, ensuring that the journey is what matters and can take on many forms. “I want to give people an album with more diversity than they are used to hearing”, the artist himself remarks. Extinction Burst is an explosion of energy that never strays away from real human emotions and is unafraid to explore each one of them. And by doing so, MatAre crafted one of the most impressive, unique, and remarkable records of the year.
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Extinction Burst by MatAre flows through multiple sides at once, ensuring that the journey is what matters and can take on many forms.
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"Extinction Burst" by MatAre
open.spotify.com/album/0XHdhi…
— Jpgchief (@jpgchief.bsky.social) 2 de septiembre de 2025, 7:34
@jpgchief 🚨#NewMusic🚨 🛑#ListenNow🛑 🔥#NewAlbum🔥 New Music New Album: "Extinction Burst" by @Mataremusic in this post “Here’s Where Your Story Begins” @Jpgchief @Jpgchief @Jpgchief ♬ original sound – Jpgchief
Ver en Threads
🚨#NewMusic🚨
🛑#ListenNow🛑
🔥#NewAlbum🔥New Music New Album: "Extinction Burst" by MatAre in this post “Do What You Can”
Extinction Burst by MatAre flows through multiple sides at once, ensuring that the journey is what matters and can take on many forms.
⭐LISTEN NOW⭐ pic.twitter.com/PnBiRql3dN
— Jpgchief (@Jpgchief) October 8, 2025
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the center didn’t hold