Matte Blvck, the San Diego trio composed of Alex Gonzales, Daniel Corrales, and Bidi Cobra, is known for blending brooding beats with industrial edge. Their sophomore album, Vows, is an ambitious exploration of shadowy soundscapes and melancholic melodies. In Vows, Matte Blvck pushes their boundaries while keeping their roots intact. The nine-track album dips into various electronic genres—breakbeats, industrial, darkwave, and cinematic dark pop—without losing its identity. Through intricate production and layered compositions, Vows demonstrates a clear desire to broaden their horizons while maintaining their signature tension and texture.
The single BTTR stands out as a haunting collaboration between Matte Blvck and darkwave icons Clan of Xymox, blending a deep sense of nostalgia with an undercurrent of dark euphoria. The lyrics tap into a raw yearning for trust, affection, and connection, with the speaker pleading for the emotional fulfillment that seems just out of reach. The repeated refrain of “make me better” underscores a desperate hope for healing through human connection, emphasizing the speaker’s longing to overcome feelings of isolation and emotional need.
“We believed that this song needed to encapsulate the essence of our live performances,” says the band. “BTTR has been our closing piece at concerts since our inception, always eliciting an enthusiastic response from the audience.”
The haunting duet between Ronny Moorings and Alex Gonzales brings a dreamlike, serene quality that contrasts sharply with the driving EBM bass lines, pulsating mechanical drumbeats, and intricate cinematic arrangements. BTTR pays homage to the classic darkwave sound while infusing it with a modern edge, resulting in a seamless fusion of styles that exude both timelessness and cutting-edge.
“I had this idea for a Clan of Xymox-style melody and casually mentioned it to the band,” recalls Cobra. “As a joke, I suggested, “Could we ask Ronny to collaborate?” I met Ronny Moorings a few years ago through a mutual friend and had the opportunity to host Xymox in San Diego. While we had become friends, I was hesitant to ask for a collaboration because there weren’t many existing collaborations in the Xymox catalog, and I was afraid of rejection. I also didn’t want to overstep any boundaries as a new friend. The good news is that he loved the song and said yes!”
“The first time I heard of Matte Blvck was when I toured with the Clan of Xymox in the USA,” adds Moorings. “Bidi Cobra showed us around San Diego when we visited. He was a friend of a friend, and since then, he has become my direct friend. He gave me their album I’m Waving, Not Drowning. I instantly loved their music. Matte Blvck did a remix (Brave New World) for Clan of Xymox, and later Bidi asked me if I could collaborate on BTTR. I love the way this song turned out. It blew me away when I heard the final mix and treatment. I can’t wait to see the reactions of their audience. It’s already a favorite in my playlist.”
Pupula Duplex explores a raw sense of inner conflict and emotional void, with the speaker struggling with feelings of insignificance and a desire for destruction, both internal and external. Midnight & Angel reflects deep regret and emotional turmoil, with the speaker haunted by memories of betrayal and manipulation, longing to erase the scars of a toxic relationship. Meanwhile, PROXY brings a futuristic flair, a pulsing instrumental track that conjures imagery of a dystopian drama, and a long-lost NIN track. Its driving beats and cinematic mood evoke a world where tension and sensuality collide in a dark, electric atmosphere.
The title track Vows steps boldly into Ultra-era Depeche Mode territory, channeling defiance against fear and doubt. A shadow serves as a metaphor for their inner struggles, yet the lyrics exude strength and resilience, rejecting any sway past uncertainties might hold. Following this, BLISS delivers an instrumental punch—a dance floor anthem that mixes industrial grit with infectious energy, reminiscent of Front Line Assembly’s raw power meeting the dark, melancholy of Kontravoid. Together, these tracks balance introspection with intense, driving rhythms.
House of Serpents delves into themes of loss, disconnection, and emotional uncertainty, reminiscent of the pathos in Martin Gore’s work. It reflects on a fading relationship, where familiarity has turned to estrangement, questioning their worth and grappling with a future that feels increasingly fragile. The lyrics convey a deep emotional conflict, where trust and affection have been clouded by doubt. Following this is the instrumental track Holy Wars, a darker, more brooding composition that complements the mood of the preceding song, further enhancing the atmosphere of introspection and unresolved tension.
The album closes with Vicious Dreams, exploring feelings of emptiness and confusion, while being trapped in one’s own dark thoughts and dreams. There’s a struggle to navigate these inner shadows while acknowledging their inability to stay grounded.
Listen to Vows below and order here.
The origins of BTTR trace back to 2019, initially intended for their debut album I’m Waving, Not Drowning. However, the track underwent substantial revisions before it was finally ready for release. The first version of the song was produced at Matte Blvck’s San Diego studio, later re-recorded with live instrumentation at Secret Hand Studios in Los Angeles. Engineered by Matt McJunkins (A Perfect Circle), it was mixed by longtime collaborator Aaron Short.
The members of Matte Blvck have played in other bands over the years, including Julien K, The New Division, and Moving Units, while also cooperating with heavy hitters such as DJ Ten and Timecop1983. Members have shared the stage with Stone Temple Pilots, Phantogram, The Cult, and Alice Glass.
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