One of the biggest musical joys is when you find an artist who you truly connect with; melodically, spiritually and emotionally. For the last thirty years artists have come into my life who have shaped the way I behave, the way I think, and inspired me to challenge the way I live my life. Matt Marr is one of those artists. Music is his life. It is his emotional outlet, and with every beat and every breath you can hear it pouring out with beautiful abandon.

After the gut-wrenching Beach In The Fallin’ Rain, where he appeared to be exorcising a lifetime of emotional demons, his new album Currency Of Souls (on a personal level at least) is far more level-headed. Whereas Beach was, for the most part, critically self-reflective, from the opening line from ‘Pieces (Nothin’)’… “It’s a strange, brand new day…”, without going so far as to say he appears ‘happy’, this is an album made from a man in a better place, albeit one with a very heavy soul.

Taken from a line from Beach track ‘I’ll Take The Chair You Take The Single Bed’ “…it’s the currency of souls that’ll set you free”, it would appear that Matt has indeed been set free, but such is the currency this is very much an album of mixed emotions, typified by the opener which until halfway through sounds like a ray of positivity, but then diverts into bitterness “how do you sleep when you got nothin’… paradise is crumblin’.” Whereas Beach was an emotionally draining journey, Currency is more a rollercoater of moods and spirits. Delving into his personal psyche and that of others, Matt’s ability to put the complexities of the human soul into ten songs is the man’s genius.

Musically, we’re moved from the gentlest of folk with ‘Christopher’, a beautifully sensitive cry/homage to a schoolboy friend, ‘Start Where You Stand’ and the heavenly album closer ‘Saturday Night’, which (like the opener) is a bittersweet mix of human intricacies. There’s hints of Marlins-era indie with the likes of ‘Teenage Hero’, ‘Poets Son’ and ‘The Primitives Are Comin’’ (Parts 1 & 2), and what, after a months of repeated listens still reminds me of Orange Juice pop – ‘Different Shades Of Blue’.

Matt Marr at his best is where his words touch you deeply and the depth of his soul opens up your own. ‘Counting Headlights’ does just that, a simply gorgeous song and wonderfully romantic. But it’s ‘Saturday Night’ which ends with the album’s musical peak. The opening line “You’ve got the bleakest most colourful face, like the heart and soul of the human race” is typical Matt Marr, nothing is simple, and the heartbreak twists and turns until he pours out “which part of your soul ain’t right tonight?” until its close.

I don’t expect everyone to ‘get’ Matt Marr. It’s a personal thing, some dig Dylan, others are more Gaga. If you’ve not previously checked out Matt Marr and your musical tendencies veer more towards the Zimmerman, I urge you to check out Currency Of Souls and its predecessor Beach In The Fallin’ Rain. It’s sometimes an uncomfortable ride, but the journey will be worth it.

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