Antimatador – Antimatador 
Release Date: Out Now
Plymouth collective Antimatador
have always felt like something of a resistance movement on the music scene –
keeping their identities out of the limelight, popping up sporadically to show
everyone else how its done before disappearing again and being known for their
name as much as their music. In this year of years, then, it is succour for the
soul to find them surfacing for long enough to drop their debut album and
leaving a lasting mark like only they can. Shall we?
The album opens with the track ‘Dastardly’
which features no Wacky Races references but is a funkier than the Streets esque
conversation between two mates about the girl who is ruining the lives of one
of them. With Jack Tucker drafted in for extra help, the track has a dark undertone
enrobed in dirty keys and driven by a rhythm section that knows exactly what it
wants and how to get it. The frantic keys that open ‘Burn’ are infectious but
that itch is soon scratched by the kind of horns that can increase your
fertility and the Rudimental vibes are strong. Switching over to ‘Emperor’s
Clothes’ featuring Elliott Cole, Antimatador tread the line between 70s New
York cop movie soundtrack and superbly soulful modern Motown and it’s a damn
funky line to tread.
The Jazz Soul of ‘No Shame’ finds
Devon’s finest soul voice, Jamie Yost, adding his smooth tones to a track that
would not sound out of place on a Lack of Afro album. The Haggis Horns give ‘We
Are’ a blast of power for what is probably my favourite track on the album due to
its sketchy, post-apocalyptic intro, the
defiant and confidence spreading message, the uplifting spirit that the tune
embodies and, well, those damn horns. Jesus, those horns do things that I wasn’t
sure were possible just from listening to music. Antimatador are the kind of
band that you know will tear the roof of live (I’ve only seen them outdoors so
I can’t confirm that yet) but the success with which they’ve transferred that
energy to the recorded format is genuinely awe inspiring.
‘Trippin’’ features a gorgeous,
Penguin Café esque piano riff and rimshot beat with swelling horns in the
distance and the ever stunning vocals of Joanna Cooke before sliding in to the ‘Trippin’
Interlude’ which spits rage at the ruling classes by way of an introduction to
the outstanding ‘Mad As Hell’. This is the kind of track that would have had
every audience losing their shit in summer 2020 if we hadn’t all been terrified
of Covid-19 while the politicians line their pockets, pay their mates and
ignore any sense of decency or democracy. The chilled reggae dub vibe of ‘Pete’s
Psychedelic Breakfast’ is necessary respite and brings the pulse down to
acceptable levels before building up to a cacophonously glorious climax on ‘The
Right One’ with guest vocals from Michael Collings.
‘Step Forward’ finds Elliott Cole
and Elani Evangelou sharing the vocal duties on the kind of track that you need
to play to yourself every morning to start the day right. ‘Find Your Way’ is
the song that first turned me on to Antimatador all those years ago so it will
always hold a special place in my heart but sitting in among these other
outstanding tracks just makes it shine even more with it’s inspiring message
and infectious groove – and now with the added soulful tones of Phoebe Jay on vocals.
The album completes its journey with epic track ‘The Owl’ which takes over
eight minutes to find its prog-funk way but it is worth holding to the reigns
if you can. I have listened to this album a good six times now and not only
does it keep revealing new treats but it also surprises with the quality every
time. If Antimatador were from Brooklyn or Boston then I feel like 6Music would
be all over them so let’s do what we can to get the right ears listening to
this, yeah? Vive la resistance.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/AntiMataMusic