A man. A guitar. And a song. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? And it is.

Scott Matthews’ new record, The Great Untold, is a career-defining masterpiece. The sixth studio album by the Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-songwriter is a largely acoustic recording, with sparse production.

Recorded at home and in acoustically resonant rural churches, his 10-song cycle is the sound of a man comfortable in his own skin, putting his neck on the line with a collection of otherworldly songs.

The ghosts of Paul Simon, Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and John Martyn loom large. It’s been a test as a songwriter, writing to perform without any other backing. “It takes me out of my comfort zone and has made me test myself. I’ve pared it down to guitar and vocals. At the beginning, there was nobody else. It’s time to surprise myself. It’s time to go back to my own world. I’ve gone full circle.”

“It’s a collection of songs that lots of people will relate to. It’s a real mood-shift of a record. The songs always start from a personal angle, but listeners will hear them in different ways. When I’m writing, I’m almost hearing voices from The Masters and thinking: ‘Would they approve?’” And it’s about making a connection. “I want to move somebody with the power of moods and music. It’s very powerful stuff.”

He’ll kick off his UK tour this weekend, supported by Jasmine Rodgers whose debut album Blood Red Sun was released in 2016.

DETAILS

Scott Matthews will headline Revelation Ashford on Saturday, April 28, supported by Jasmine Rogers. For tickets at £14 or £18 on the door, visit revelationashford.co.uk