Matt Maltese Explained

Matt Maltese
Birth Name:Matthew Jonathan Gordon Maltese
Birth Date:1995 10, df=y
Origin:Reading, England
Years Active:2015–present

Matthew Jonathan Gordon Maltese (born 6 October 1995) is a British-Canadian[1] singer-songwriter and record producer. His style blends elements from indie pop, indie rock, and chamber pop.[2] Since releasing his debut single "Even If It's a Lie" in 2015, Maltese has released five studio albums, a cover album, and a number of EPs.[3] Maltese's third studio album Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow was released in October 2021 via Nettwerk.[4] [5] Maltese released his fourth studio album Driving Just to Drive in April 2023.

Early life

Matthew Jonathan Gordon Maltese[6] was born on 6 October 1995[7] to Canadian parents; his father of Italian descent.[8] Maltese was raised in Reading, England.[9] [10] He attended the Henley College, pursuing A Levels in Music, Maths, English and Economics.[11] [12] According to an interview with Vice he started writing music at the age of 14.[13] When he was a teenager Maltese began buying and selling vinyl and with the money he made, moved to Camden, London.

Career

2015–2017: SoundCloud and early singles

Maltese released his first single, "Even If It's a Lie", on SoundCloud in 2015.[14] After the release of the single, Maltese signed with Café Bleu Recordings, a subdivision of Atlantic Records. In 2016, through Café Bleu Recordings, Maltese released his follow up EP, titled In a New Bed.[15] The following year in 2017 Maltese released a single titled "As the World Caves In",[16] the premise of which he stated was about the idea of then-UK Prime Minister Theresa May and then-U.S. President Donald Trump deciding to spend a night of romance together before triggering atomic warfare.[17] [18] [19] The single saw a resurgence on TikTok starting in May 2021 following a cover by singer Sarah Cothran.[20] In January 2023, it was certified Silver in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling 200,000 equivalent units.[21]

2018–2019: Bad Contestant and Krystal

In June 2018, Maltese released his debut album Bad Contestant.[22] The album was produced by Jonathan Rado of American Indie rock duo Foxygen.[23]

His sophomore album Krystal followed in November 2019.[24] The album was mostly recorded, produced, and mixed by Maltese in his bedroom studio.[25] With the release of Krystal, Maltese embarked on a UK headline tour in November 2019, he played on tour at six venues.[26]

2020–2021: Madhouse and Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow

In March 2020, Maltese released the single "Ballad of a Pandemic"[27] about the COVID-19 pandemic; the single was released the same day as lockdown restrictions were imposed in the United Kingdom.[28] This was followed by "Queen Bee" featuring vocals from Sorry's Asha Lorenz in May.[29] In June 2020, Maltese took part in Tiny Gigs, a livestream event hosted by Tiny Changes, a mental health charity, to raise money for a COVID-19 relief fund.[30] [31]

Maltese released the single "Mystery" in May 2021.[32] He then released another single in July 2021 called "Shoe" which was released following the announcement of Maltese's third studio album, Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow. The album was released in October 2021.[33] [34] He also released the EP Madhouse in August 2020.[35]

2022–present: Quiet Recordings, Driving Just to Drive, and Hers

In March 2022, Maltese released a new song called "Smile In the Face of the Devil"[36] as a part of his new EP titled Quiet Recordings. This EP would be a collection of more ambient tracks off of his previous album Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow. Quiet Recordings was released on 8 April 2022.

Maltese's next single "Mother" was released in October 2022.[37] [38] [39] [40] In December 2022, Maltese teased his third album. He then released a teaser for a new track followed by a single in January 2023 titled "Driving Just to Drive". The same day as this single was released, Maltese announced the album would be titled Driving Just to Drive for a 28 April 2023 release date.

In 2024, Maltese published a cover album titled Songs That Aren't Mine. Maltese recorded a cover of "My Funny Valentine" for the 2025 tribute album Chet Baker Re:imagined.[41]

Maltese released his fifth studio album, Hers, on the 16th of May 2025. It was preceded by the singles "Buses Replace Trains", "Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow", "Always Some MF" and "Pined For You My Whole Life".[42] [43] [44] He has been working with Bella Ramsey on new music and released "Cure for Emptiness (with Bello)".[45]

Initiatives

Maltese has written for a number of other artists, including Birdy and Matilda Mann.[8]

In summer 2023, Maltese founded his own record label titled Last Recordings On Earth. The label's inaugural release was the single "Older" by Searows.[46]

In December 2024, Maltese composed the music for the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Twelfth Night directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah, creating original music for William Shakespeare's text and an original song "Maybe This Christmas".[47] The production played in Stratford-upon-Avon over the Christmas 2024 season, and will be revived at the Barbican Centre, London over the Christmas 2025 season.

Artistry

The first song Maltese recalls being moved by is "Dreamer" by Supertramp.[8] In a 2015 interview, Maltese said he would "always be into" Paul Simon, Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen. Upon moving to South London, Maltese became immersed in the local music landscape, looking towards artists such as Loyle Carner and Alex Burey. He named Vashti Bunyan, Flo Morrissey and Father John Misty as newer folk influences.[48]

Discography

Artist:Matt Maltese
Studio:5
Ep:4
Singles:31

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" style="width:21.5em"
Details
Bad Contestant
  • Released: 8 June 2018
  • Label: Atlantic Records UK
Krystal
  • Released: 8 November 2019
  • Label: 7476
Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow
Driving Just to Drive
Songs That Aren't Mine
  • Released: 8 March 2024
  • Label: Tonight Matthew
Hers
  • Released: 16 May 2025
  • Label: Tonight Matthew / The Orchard

Extended plays

TitleDetails
In a New Bed
  • Released: 22 April 2016[49]
  • Label: Café Bleu Recordings
Blood, Sweat & Beers: Live at the Drugstore and Poems from the Road
  • Released: 2017[50]
  • Label: Café Bleu Recordings
madhouse
Quiet Recordings

Singles

As lead artist

Maltese has released the following singles:

YearTitleAlbum/EP
2015"Even If It's a Lie"rowspan="2"
2016"Vacant in the 21st Century"
"Strange Time"Bad Contestant
2017"As the World Caves In"
"No One Won The War"rowspan="2"
"Comic Life"
2018"Greatest Comedian"Bad Contestant
"Like A Fish"
"Nightclub Love"
"Bad Contestant"
"Misery"
2020"Tokyo (Italian Version)"Krystal
"Ballad of a Pandemic"
"queen bee"madhouse
2021"Mystery"Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow
"Shoe"
"You Deserve an Oscar"[51]
"Good Morning"[52]
"Nothing Breaks Your Heart Like Christmas"
2022"Smile in the Face of the Devil"Quiet Recordings
"Mother"Driving Just To Drive
2023"Driving Just To Drive"
"Museum"
"Florence"
"The Earth is a Very Small Dot"
2024"Kiss Me"Songs That Aren't Mine
"Philadelphia (feat. Searows)"
"This Is The Day"
2025"Anytime, Anyplace, Anyhow"Hers
"Always Some MF"
"Pined For You My Whole Life"
"Buses Replace Trains"

As featured artist

YearTitleAlbum/EP
2022"Cate's Brother (Matt's Version)" (with Maisie Peters)
2021"Salt Lake City" (with Etta Marcus)View from the Bridge
2025"Trust" The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

Select songwriting and production credits

YearArtistSong(s)Album
2020Matilda Mann"Happy Anniversary, Stranger"Because I Wanted You to Know
2021Joy Crookes"Skin"Skin
Mathilda HomerIf You Were On Fire
2022Celeste"To Love a Man"Lately
Jamie T"Thank You"The Theory of Whatever
Sarah Cothran"Funeral"i hope you're happy
Nemahsis"Criminal"
April"54321"Starlane
2023Hohnen Ford"Don't Fall Asleep"Infinity
bb sway"Leading Lady"How Will I Get There?
Etta Marcus"Mechanical Bull"
Sophie MayWorst Thoughts in the World
Etta Marcus"Theatre"The Death of Summer and Other Promises
"Little Wing"
"Snowflake Suzie"
2024"Girls That Play"
"Death Grips"
Sophie May"Marianne"Deep Sea Creatures
"If I'd Never Been Born"
2025Celeste"Everyday"
Tom Misch"Old Man"

Tours

Headlining act

(with special guest Sophie May, Hohnen Ford, Searows)

(with special guest Cornelia Murr)

Supporting act

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Maltese . Matt . im half Canadian . 2023-01-20 . Twitter . en.
  2. Web site: The Melodrama of Matt Maltese. 2021-08-03. The Line of Best Fit. en.
  3. Web site: Matt Maltese Album Discography. 2021-08-03. AllMusic. en.
  4. Web site: 2021-07-02. Matt Maltese announces new album 'Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow' and shares lead single 'Shoe'. 2021-08-03. NME. en-GB.
  5. Web site: Matt Maltese shares 'Shoe' from his third album 'Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow'. 2021-08-05. The Indie Scene. en-US.
  6. Web site: ACE Repertory . 2025-05-27 . American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
  7. 386818103075946496 . matthewmaltese . And I'm a 17 year old no longer . Matthew Jonathan Gordon . Maltese . 2013-10-06 . 2025-05-27.
  8. Web site: Matt Maltese; Made to Make Music. F-Word Magazine. Maisie. Daniels. 7 January 2021 . 11 December 2024.
  9. Matt Maltese: The Apocalyptic British Singer-Songwriter That America Desperately Needs. 2021-08-03. Billboard. en.
  10. Web site: Matt Maltese Biography & History. 2021-08-03. AllMusic. en.
  11. Web site: Student Musician Of The Week: Introducing Matt Maltese (VIDEO). HuffPost UK. 28 March 2013. 12 December 2024.
  12. Web site: College Music Student Wins Oxfordshire Arts Award. Henley Herald. 13 November 2013. 12 December 2024.
  13. Web site: Matt Maltese Is Like a New and Improved Morrissey For Millenials. 2021-08-03. Vice.com. 23 March 2018 . en.
  14. Web site: Even If It's a Lie (demo) by Matt Maltese – The Indie Inn. 2021-08-06. sites.psu.edu.
  15. Web site: Matt Maltese Album Discography. 2021-08-04. AllMusic. en.
  16. Web site: Watch: Matt Maltese - 'As The World Caves In'. 2021-08-04. Clash Magazine. 4 April 2017 . en.
  17. Web site: U.K. Songwriter Matt Maltese's Love Song About The End Of The World Is Unexpectedly Moving. 2021-08-04. The FADER. en.
  18. Web site: 2018-06-06. Matt Maltese – 'Bad Contestant' review. 2021-08-03. NME. en-GB.
  19. Web site: 2017-04-03. Discovery: Matt Maltese. 2021-08-05. Interview Magazine. en-US.
  20. Web site: Hauntingly beautiful TikTok song is the soundtrack to life's happy moments . 2022-03-20 . Yahoo! News . 9 June 2021 . en-US.
  21. United Kingdom. Matt Maltese. As The World Caves In. 18671-6217-1. 22 January 2023.
  22. Web site: Cabré . Alex . Matt Maltese - Bad Contestant Reviews. 2021-08-04. DIY Magazine. 8 June 2018 . en.
  23. Web site: Bad Contestant - Matt Maltese Credits . AllMusic. en. 2021-08-03.
  24. Web site: Taylor. Chris . Matt Maltese - Krystal Reviews. 2021-08-04. DIY Magazine . 7 November 2019 . en.
  25. Web site: Matt Maltese's Krystal Is a Lo-Fi Breakup Album Done Right. 2021-08-03. Paste Magazine . en . 18 November 2019 . Lizzie . Manno .
  26. Web site: 2019-10-08. Matt Maltese is heading out on a UK tour in November. 2021-08-04. NME. en-GB . Will . Richards.
  27. Web site: 2020-04-03. Matt Maltese urges world to "help your neighbour" on 'Ballad Of A Pandemic'. 2021-08-04. NME. en-GB. Rhian . Daly.
  28. Web site: Timeline of UK coronavirus lockdowns, March 2020 to March 2021 . 2021-08-03. Institute for Government .
  29. Web site: Matt Maltese returns with new single 'queen bee' News. 2021-08-09. DIY Magazine. 29 May 2020 . en.
  30. Web site: Tiny Changes announces Tiny Gigs News. 2021-08-04. DIY Magazine. 29 May 2020 . en.
  31. Web site: 2020-05-29. Frank Turner, Tim Burgess, Matt Maltese and more for Tiny Changes COVID online charity gigs. 2021-08-04. NME. en-GB . Andrew . Trendell.
  32. Web site: Matt Maltese Shares New Single 'Mystery'. 2021-08-04. Clash Magazine. 24 May 2021 . en . Robin . Murray.
  33. Web site: 2021-10-05. Matt Maltese – 'Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow' review: crooner finds his happy place. 2021-10-08. NME. en-AU . Sophie . Williams .
  34. Web site: Matt Maltese - Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow. 2021-10-08. DIY. 6 October 2021 . en . Louis . Griffin.
  35. Web site: Matt Maltese - madhouse Reviews. 2021-08-04. DIY Magazine. 6 August 2020 . en . Sean . Kerwick.
  36. Web site: Jenke . Tyler . 2022-03-18 . Song You Need to Know: Matt Maltese, 'Smile in The Face of The Devil' . 2023-05-31 . Rolling Stone Australia . en-AU.
  37. Web site: Murray . Robin . 2022-10-31 . Matt Maltese Uses 'Mother' To Take Another Glance At A Break-Up News . 2023-05-31 . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews . en-GB.
  38. Web site: Spruce . Hannah . 2022-11-05 . Track Review: Mother // Matt Maltese . 2023-05-31 . The Indiependent . en-GB.
  39. Web site: Holden . Finlay . 2022-10-28 . Matt Maltese has returned with a fresh take on the break-up song with his new single, 'Mother' . 2023-05-31 . Dork . en-US.
  40. Web site: Matt Maltese unveils new single "Mother" . 2023-05-31 . The Line of Best Fit . en-US.
  41. Web site: dodie, Matt Maltese, Ezra Collective, mxmtoon, and more to feature on Chet Baker Re:Imagined. The Line of Best Fit. Tyler Damara Kelly. 28 November 2024. 22 December 2024.
  42. Web site: Matt Maltese Drops New Single 'Buses Replace Trains' Ahead of 'Hers' .
  43. Web site: Spotify – Web Player . .
  44. Web site: Matt Maltese announces new album 'Hers'. Mystic Sons. Chris. Bound. 28 February 2025. 1 March 2025.
  45. Web site: 2025-10-03 . MATT MALTESE SHARES NEW VERSION OF “CURE FOR EMPTINESS” FEATURING BELLO . 2025-10-04 . Hashtag Magazine . en-US.
  46. Web site: Matt Maltese launches his own record label, Last Recordings On Earth. The Line of Best Fit. Tyler Damara Kelly. July 2023. 27 December 2024.
  47. News: 2024-11-07 . ICMP alumnus Matt Maltese to compose for RSC's Twelfth Night . https://web.archive.org/web/20241204183900/https://www.icmp.ac.uk/news/alumnus-matt-maltese-compose-rscs-twelfth-night . 2024-12-04 . 2025-03-24 . ICMP . en.
  48. Web site: Introducing: Matt Maltese. Love Music Love Life. 17 May 2015. 27 December 2024.
  49. Web site: Release "In A New Bed" by Matt Maltese - MusicBrainz. 2021-08-04. musicbrainz.org.
  50. Web site: Matt Maltese announces first UK headline tour, releases 'Blood, Sweat And Beers' live EP. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807171934/http://diymag.com/2017/08/07/matt-maltese-uk-headline-tour-blood-sweat-and-beers-live-ep-listen. 2017-08-07. 2021-10-08. DIY. 7 August 2017 . en.
  51. Web site: Matt Maltese shares new single 'You Deserve An Oscar'. 2021-08-16. DIY. 13 August 2021 . en.
  52. Web site: Ackroyd. Stephen. 2021-09-24. 'Good Morning', here's a new Matt Maltese single . 2021-09-24. Dork . en-US.
  53. Web site: 2023-09-26 . Matt Maltese has announced a new headline tour for 2024 - Dork . 2025-11-04 . en-GB.
  54. Web site: Feng . Kristina . Matt Maltese on ‘Tour For You My Whole Life’ . 2025-11-04 . The Vanderbilt Hustler.
  55. Web site: Matt Maltese Tour 2025: Tour For You My Whole Life . 2025-11-04 . mattmaltesetour2025.com.