Daudi Matsiko – ‘The King of Misery’ album review: A delicate display of loneliness and heartbreak
THE SKINNY: There is a lot of music where the theme of the lyrics doesn’t match up with the instrumentation. Granted, sometimes that can be intentional, but usually, it is just a poor decision from the songwriter.
Thankfully, that isn’t an issue on the new Daudi Matsiko album, The King of Misery, as he manages to convey feelings of loneliness and heartbreak in music and lyrics in a way that would shine through just as prominently if there were no words at all.
Matsiko manages to do a lot with very little throughout this album, as the instrumentation is often the single plucking of a guitar string or a couple of keys recurring on a piano. However, thanks to the dynamic power in his voice, he carries these songs so that five minutes, despite how stripped back some tracks may be, feels like very little time at all.
The King of Misery is full of songs that sound like they have been found rather than written. Despite being minimal, the various elements blend together so effortlessly that it sounds like they have never been apart. Themes of the album, such as sorrow, jealousy and sadness, are buried so deep within every second of it that it sounds as though they have formed around each emotion.
Daudi Matsiko is triumphant with this minimalistic and beautiful piece of work. His voice is the shining star throughout, but how he uses music to mimic the emotions he sings about rather than undercut them is a masterstroke.
For Fans Of: floating, pins and needles, people who don’t have to cut with the scissors when taking off a section of wrapping paper, and epiphanies.
A concluding comment from Tom’s mother: “If someone listens to this while operating heavy machinery, there could be a major accident, a terrible, blissful, accident.”
The King of Misery track by track:
Release date: 19 January | Producer: Daudi Matsiko | Label: Really Good
‘Guilt’– The perfect opener. This stripped-back, minimalist track puts Matsiko’s fragile and beautiful vocals at the forefront. [4/5]
‘oMo (man)’ – A song that places light guitar and gentle harmony in the spotlight. There is build-up throughout the track as strings are introduced and taken away; it sounds very natural, and the overall progression and arrangement of the song are beautiful. [5/5]
‘Falling’ – Guitar and voice mirror one another in this beautiful song that’s as delicate as the silence it breaks. The words “I don’t want to be alone” are more poignant than ever, thanks to how isolated the proclamation is. [5/5]
‘Fool Me As Many Times As You Like’ – Trickling guitar is a ripple in water. As a listener, it’s an easy song to be completely immersed in; an improvised flute in the background sounds like birdsong, and Matsiko’s voice almost takes a backseat amongst the instrumentation. [3.5/5]
‘Derby’s Dose’ – Another song that champions harmony, a stained-glass window of sound, beautiful and close to shattering. Biblical. [5/5]
‘I Need You To Stop Calling My Phone’ – This track brings out the album’s versatility, as the instrumentation takes a darker turn with low humming synths to start before transitioning into the same beauty we’ve come to expect. It’s a much-needed break throughout the LP and shows how much thought has gone into planning the track listing. The outro is nothing short of angelic. [5/5]
‘Annihilation’ – The song sounds like it has been recorded through an answering machine. It comes across as a burst of emotion and pondering, one so honest it almost feels like an infringement of privacy to listen to. [4/5]
‘King Of Misery’ – The title track has a gospel-like arrangement and is incredibly atmospheric throughout. As honest as confession, the song is perfect. [5/5]
‘Hymn’ – Religious undertones in many of these songs are subtle, but they’re laid bare in the title and organ sound of ‘Hymn’. Matsiko sings of hope and comfort, both in religion and on a personal level, in this layered song as euphoric as the miracles that inspired it. [5/5]
‘I Am Grateful For My Friends’ – A simple but necessary message closes the album. Given the complexity of the themes discussed throughout The King of Misery, this gentle announcement of the people who keep you level seems like the perfect ending. [4/5]
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out New Music Newsletter
All the latest New Music from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.