What makes Matador by Gaz Coombes notable?

Matador received critical acclaim upon its release, showcasing Coombes' evolution as a songwriter and solidifying his place in the alternative rock scene. The album's single Buffalo gained significant radio play and was praised for its innovative production, which contributed to its commercial success. In 2015, Gaz Coombes released Matador as his second solo album, following his debut, Here Come the Bombs, from 2012. At this point in his career, he was transitioning from his time with Supergrass to establish a distinct solo identity, experimenting with more diverse sounds and lyrical depth.

How many songs are on Matador?

Matador has 11 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Matador

Gaz Coombes · 2015

38 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock

A kaleidoscopic blend of alternative rock textures woven with introspective lyrics and eclectic instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Buffalo — This track opens the album with infectious energy and showcases Coombes' knack for blending catchy melodies with introspective themes, setting the tone for the record.
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The English Ruse — With its sharp lyrics and compelling narrative, this song stands out for its social commentary wrapped in an engaging musical arrangement that reflects Coombes' artistic growth.
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The Girl Who Fell to Earth — This track exemplifies Coombes’ storytelling ability, weaving a haunting tale with atmospheric instrumentation that highlights his versatile songwriting style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and eclectic arrangements, though it may not resonate as deeply over time.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature layered instrumentation that builds in complexity, while the fourth track introduces a more stripped-down arrangement with a focus on vocals.
The final track features an extended instrumental outro that contrasts with the lyrical content of earlier songs, providing a reflective closure.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Buffalo 3:19
2 20/20 4:13
3 The English Ruse 4:42
4 The Girl Who Fell to Earth 3:34
5 Detroit 5:40
6 Needle’s Eye 4:02
7 Seven Walls 3:48
8 Oscillate 3:11
9 To the Wire 4:06
10 Is It On? 0:33
11 Matador 1:24

What to play next

Listen next

World's Strongest Man

2018

Go back to

Here Come the Bombs

2012

Full Gaz Coombes discography Artists like Gaz Coombes

alternative rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata