Catapulting onto the country music scene as a “thoughtful songwriter and equally compelling artist,” according to American Songwriter, with the back-to-back #1s of 2X Platinum smash ‘Prayed For You’ and Gold ‘Everywhere But On’, RECORDS Nashville Multi-Platinum artist Matt Stell “finds his lane” with EP, ONE OF US, available today (10/2) across all streaming platforms and digital retailers.
Speaking exclusively with American Songwriter, Stell digs deep into the fabric of the American heartland on the six-track collection. Pushing beyond catchy hooks and twangy trends, it’s a hard-hitting project with a gentle heart, as it’s packed with insight and intelligence, passionate vocals, and smart turns-of-phrase. Chest-thumping hell-raisers drive down memory-lane ballads, as ringing acoustic guitars and punching digital beats combine to showcase a life lived on country terms – and all with a deep sense of respect.
An Arkansas native, Stell slips easily back into his roots for ONE OF US, matching lived experience with universal truth. Three tunes were co-written by Stell with hitmakers Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill, Randy Montana, and more, while others were sourced from the likes of Michael Hardy and Tyler Hubbard. Exploring themes like aching hearts and nights that hurt so good, or big dreams that drive small-town kids from home, featured songs include Stell’s latest single ‘Man Made’, hard-rocking power ballad ‘One Of Us’, and a jacked-up romance in ‘Shut The Truck Up’ – which MusicRow hails, “Stell has always been a fine country communicator, and this well-constructed song gives him another worthy platform.” Each one reveals something different, and Stell approaches it all with genuine sincerity, plus a thickly layered modern-Country sound of his own design.
Co-producing all but one track with longtime collaborator, Ash Bowers, Stell once again proves himself as one of Nashville’s most perceptive talents – the kind of guy who turns rural life into a songwriting master class. HITS further praises, “Matt Stell puts the ‘Stell’ in stellar.”
