EP Review/ Acoustic Instrumental : M. Haiux’s ‘The Cold Nights of Late December’
M. Haiux is the musical banner of Liverpool-based acoustic guitarist and songwriter, Matthew McPartlan. The artist is known for his minimalistic style and grounding flows. Dwelling in each moment, his compositions seem to slow down time and take you back to simpler times. His compositional baseline so elegantly and effortlessly ties into life and its moments. ‘The Cold Nights of Late December’ EP is M. Haiux’s latest release. A collection strung with warm melodies that is sure to keep you cozy and contemplating through the snowy scenes of December. It forms like a fireplace, slow and mellow in the beginning, and then suddenly seems to fill the room and the atmosphere around you.
‘Der Wintermantel’ or Winter Coat opens the EP. The snug and sheltered comfort of the winter coat is represented with song. Its speckling melody is like a soft drizzle. Steady, subtle, drenching you with its golden texture. If you like immersive, yet ambient music, then this is the perfect place to start.
The artist seems to be stringing fluid/flowing memories, frames, and feelings with these compositions. It has a nostalgic power and an intimate faculty to it. Like he is revealing a part of his soul almost. ‘Saint Joseph’ solidifies this waking feeling that was introduced by its predecessor. The melodies are doting, tactile, and full of emotion. If you were to try and connect the acoustic dots, you might see part of a life revealing itself.
Another way of thinking about and enjoying the collection is to imagine that each track connects to the other, marking or detailing a specific event or an epoch in the artist’s life. However, what makes it appealing is the universality of the sentiments he explores. So the intimacy feels shared, relatable, and even your own. ‘Midnight Serenity’ and ‘Cursed Merriment’ are deep diving tracks that seem to flesh out the melancholy of the season, its chilly air and the loneliness that lingers in the corners.
Lastly, we have ‘The Christmas Tree and I’, a track that casts a meditative ambience; perfect for spending your evening decorating your house and setting up the tree. Each tree seems to carry and reflect the personality of its owner. And this track creates that space for you to thoughtfully and creatively express yourself. There are nostalgic elements, moments of joy, soft emotional journeys. Listen Now!
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The EP is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music!
You can listen to ‘The Cold Nights of Late December’ by M. Haiux here -
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