Happy 713 Day, Houston! As enjoyers of the local music scene, many of us are familiar with *those* artists. Yes, the ones that put their half-mixed Soundcloud beats to your ear and stare into your eyes until you reluctantly tell them it goes hard (more like hard to listen to). These are often our friends going through a stage, but this approach can sometimes pan out for up-and-coming musicians – talent and adversity are not prerequisites for fame and fortune.
The opposite is true for my close friend, Zane Mattingly (artist name zane). I’ve grown up with him since the 6th grade, and our bond grew deeply at Cypress Creek High School through both academic and athletic pursuits. Of course, I would be remiss if i did not mention his twin brother Jarrett, another deeply close friend of mine and someone both Zane and I have been able to confide in from day one. These mature conversations help me understand why despite just turning 20 yesterday (happy birthday!), Zane raps like a grown man. He combines soulful beats and old-school sampling with a spiritual lyricism that is reminiscent of MAVI, MIKE, and Redveil. He often reflects on his past as an inspiration for present songwriting and production, correlating with vivid storytelling and visuals that sync perfectly with Zane’s meditative voice.
I can be biased as his friend, of course. Zane once compared me to the lovely Anthony Fantano for the way I can comment on and criticize music, but even Fantano cannot hide his biases at times. Allow me to put this bias aside, and introduce you to zane’s freshman album IT’LL BE MAY BY NEXT WEEK.
The album opens with “INFATUATION,” a touching sample of Toni Morrison’s 2003 novel Love. The sampled text explores the complexities of infatuation, describing it as a powerful force that can consume and transform relationships. Morrison’s words vividly depict infatuation as a mesmerizing yet selfish phenomenon, capable of overshadowing everything in its path, from grand mansions to humble swamps. She contrasts fleeting encounters with deeper, more meaningful connections that require intelligence and a gentler approach to love.
This track is a perfect prelude to “CANCERIAN INTUITION,” the album’s lead single accompanied with a music video. This laid-back song contains endless quotables, including the very first line “If my heart could talk.. I could waste a thousand lies trying to make you fall in love.” This sets a strict tone for the rest of the album proving zane did not come to play. He starts the next verse with “If your past could talk, what would it say?” This question-and-answer theme is continued throughout.
One thing I noticed on my most recent listen of this track is zane lets his verses dictate their own flow and sequence, as opposed to a rigid order. This is the same narrative style Toni Morrison uses in the novel Love, demonstrating how the inspiration of art forms can transcend subjects.
“NOTHING CHANGE” stands out as the longest track (2:55) with its clock-like production and reflective verses, capturing how the “refuge in his endless mind” can still lead to a feeling of stagnation. A similar chord is struck when he takes a semi-political turn by mentioning “Free Palestine” twice in the song, first sampling the voice of an activist and then expressing the sentiment himself. “NOTHING CHANGE” sounds less like any other rapper and a lot more like zane carving his unique role as a future star.
“POCKETS” and “JV SILVER MEDALS” provide a narrative-rich experience, painting vivid pictures of zane’s life and experiences. As a Houston native, he did his due diligence by incorporating Lil’ Keke’s “25 Lighters” on the former song, along with the Cannonball Adderley jazz tune “River.” This richness earned “POCKETS” the no.1 streaming spot among all of zane’s tracks, according to Spotify. “JV SILVER MEDALS,” the most reflective song of the album, hones in on zane’s memories from the football and track teams, mentioning the origin and growth of characters like Raymond Rollins, Kendrick Ward, and Coach Jason Proffitt. Despite these people being mainly known in the Houston area, the story is framed in a way that can captivate any listeners.
The album’s concluding tracks, “APRIL 23” and “PRAY,” offer a powerfully contrasting finish. “APRIL 23” reveals a raw, angry, emotional zane venting to the world about the lowest period of his life, one that generates inner conflict and confusion. Over an upbeat piano with boom bap production, he unloads the worries of his mother and brother Jarrett on the listener. One line that stuck with me is “I get a call from my brother, hear the fear in his tone//told me you know that I love you.” Although some level chaos has brewed in zane for years, this message conveys both the reality of depression and suicide as well as the hope and positive reflection that a good support system can provide. The song’s title, likely referring to the recording date, can now be interpreted as evidence of inspiration behind the title of the album “IT”LL BE MAY BY NEXT WEEK.” Meanwhile, “PRAY” concludes the album on a haunting two-minute piano and sample, acting as a time for processing and interpretation for listeners as they transition from the album back to their reality. Through layers of simplicity, “PRAY” is a hidden patch of beauty.
Of course, I said I’d leave my bias to the side, so one would expect I have some negative comments to make. I could say the album is interlude-heavy for a debut album, but those 60 second tracks blend in perfectly with the longer songs. I could say the structure is boring on “IF I COULD” or the mixing is weird on “STILL (SIREN).” Those things are true, but far outweighed by the positives displayed in zane’s willingness to experiment with different melodies and production levels. I am always adamant about helping my brothers succeed, but that desire doubles when the talent I’m working with feels generational.
Zane, the artist, will be fine without fame or fortune – as I mentioned, talent and adversity are only a part of the puzzle. But who puts in all that hard work to be fine? Who runs through a dark tunnel just for some light that’s “fine?” I want to give you the chance to listen to this album on all platforms, as well as watch zane’s music video for “CANCERIAN INTUITION.” Zane splits life between his studies at New York University (NYU) and work/family time in the Houston area. Help me get this man on a local music stage near you!
Scores
INFATUATION – 9
CANCERIAN INTUITION – 10
SURRENDER – SKIT
IF I COULD – 8
STILL (SIREN) – 8
NOTHING CHANGE – 10
GRIEF ON CHERRY HILLS – SKIT
POCKETS – 10
THE STOOP – SKIT
JV SILVER MEDALS – 10
AFFIRMATIONS – SKIT
APRIL 23 – 10 (FAVORITE)
PRAY – 9
IT’LL BE MAY BY NEXT WEEK – 9/10, amazing debut album.
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