REVIEW: Bilardo – ‘Tarpaulin’

Ever since he was a teenager, Glasgow-based artist Matthew Stevenson has always looked to find and capture interesting ideas in which to bring to his music. Keeping much of his material out of the public eye over the years, he has steadily cultivated and nurtured his development, allowing him to break out onto the scene with more experience than many in his field. And now donning the Bilardo moniker, inspired by the Argentine National football team manager who won the 1986 World Cup, he delivers his wondrous debut EP ‘Tarpaulin’, a collection that introduces him as a warm and innovative individual.

While just two tracks in length, ‘Tarpaulin’ makes for a wonderfully broad and adventurous listen. Opening up with the instrumental offering ‘Sneaky Fucker’, which sees him explore these warm and emotive soundscapes throughout, the second track ‘Tarpaulin Man (Floating On The Motorway)’ is where we get to hear his crooning vocals, adding this breadth of levity to the release. Keeping the vibes as sombre and immersive as possible, his first outing showcases a beautifully arranged prowess towards his songwriting and production, something that gives him a real lift on the new music scene.

It may still be early days for him right now, but ‘Tarpaulin’ brims with vigour and finesse at every turn. Stripping back much of the fanfare usually associated with his genre, he is able to create this truly absorbing sound that we can certainly expect to hear a lot more from in the months ahead as well.