“The Valley” is a meld of beautifully crafted lyrical prose floating gently on waves of intricate, catchy melodies. Each poetic, honest song offers a unique feel with new lyrical and melodic insight, yet from start to finish the album flows seamlessly through the rise of big productions like “You Won’t” and “Home” and the fall to the raw and revealing beauty of “Movie Love.”The title track of the album offers a nostalgic grasp for the familiarity of the valley in Wisconsin where Buetow was raised. Melodically light and sweet, the song visits his childhood home in the summer and longs to remain there. Along with this comfort, though, comes a hint of longing that is lyrically evident and tears slightly at the song’s light mood, perfectly capturing the oscillation between joy and pain that memories often hold. The lush summer painted with vibrant strokes in “The Valley,” is fleshed out further in its cousin tune and successor “The Stream.” A poetic pair written within days of each other from the same nostalgic headspace during a summer in northwest Spain, “The Stream” allows us to travel deeper into the joyful side of these memories of home. We are guided on our journey by smooth, meticulously doubled vocals and harmonies. Track four, “You Won’t,” is a slight departure from the softer sound of the first three tracks and offers a beautiful intensity that make it a clear stand-out-song on the album. Accompanied by a video, “You Won’t” depicts the painful, self-inflicted wounds of an artist waiting endlessly for the perfect moment to begin his work out of the fear of not being ready.The versatile album sound ranges from poetic ballads to energetic indie rock arrangements, with pedal steel guitar rounding out the Americana sound. These factors combine with deeply passionate and sweet vocals to create a unique and immediately catchy musical exhibition. The high level of musicianship with which Matt and his band showcase this sound in each of their records and live performances has won them the recognition of all types of listeners, and put them on the stage with bands such as The Head And The Heart and The Dimes.www.mattbuetow.com