Matt Epp & the Amorian Assembly – Learning to Lose Control

Artist: Matt Epp & the  Amorian Assembly
Album Title: Learning to Lose Control
Label: Matt Epp & the Amorian Assembly
Release Date: June 4, 2013

Matt Epp & the Amorian Assembly continue to relate to their audience through profound lyrics with a flowing presentation and folksy harmonies through their latest album Learning to Lose Control.  The tracks are fluid, flowing one into the other, with the same message of self-awareness, letting go, and just being. Take the album’s first track, “Use Your Head,” where Epp croons out an “anthem to the rich and broken hearted,” a chorus line that emphasizes the brilliance of Epp’s songwriting – a catchy melody capitalized by soulful, straightforward lyrics:

“I’m not afraid to tell the truth,

We’re born to Earth with nothing but we leave with even less…”

While “Use Your Head” and “When You Know” can easily be awarded the most catchy and most relatable tracks, with their folksy, soulful melodies – the messages are profound.

Learning to Lose Control goes on to reveal tracks with a more dissonant sound and beautifully haunting lyrics, adding to the depth of the new album- tracks such as “Sleepwalking,” and “War.” Meanwhile, Epp’s songwriting shines on through with tracks like the softer, well, “Shine on Through,” “Fireflies,” and  of course, the ultimate tune of simple, yet distinct wisdom itself, “Learning to Lose Control.”

Reviewed by  Monica Y. Solis