TIME STATION (2021)
Time Station is Mateja’s debut album, released on September 22nd, 2021. It was written, recorded and produced by Mateja in his home studio in Niš during the pandemic and released the following year on all streaming services and also as a CD. The music on the album sounds both futuristic and retro at the same time, combining elements of Pop and Electronic genre. It incorporates atmospheric synths and funky bass lines, while maintaining focus on rich-sounding vocal harmonies.
Tracks like Dreamy, Blue Light, Dive, and the title track itself, Time Station, use atmospheric keyboard sounds and effects on the vocals to teleport the listener into a trance state. In contrast, tracks like Fame, Party People or The Right Way get groovy and funky. A stand out track among Mateja’s listeners is certainly the debut single from the album You Got Me Figured Out, released on December 10th, 2020. The record got positive review from Jarrett New, founder of the analog audio enthusiast YouTube channel Vinyleyezz.
RESET (2023)
Reset is Mateja’s second studio album, released on June 16th, 2023. It showcases his experiments with different genres, grooves and sounds. It offers a distinct and evolving sound that sets it apart from Mateja’s previous work, aided by 14 talented guest musicians. While the album embraces a more organic feel, it serves as a deeper introduction to his unique style. On this record, Mateja explores new musical directions, further pushing the boundaries of his artistry.
The opening track Wait on Me serves as an introduction for listeners, using the hypnotic repeating nylon-string guitar riff to ease them into the album’s sonic landscape. In a conversation with Mateja, the renowned music producer and YouTube personality Rick Beato called the track “fantastic”, “absolutely beautiful” and praised the all the performances and instrumental parts. The title track’s energy and rock influence helps explain the meaning behind the album’s name – It is a reset button for Mateja’s sound palette. The only co-written song on the record is Good for Me, which came from the opening keyboard part, bass guitar pattern and a chorus melody idea from Mateja’s dad Oliver. Songs like Within and Headphones feature Dimitrije Mandić on violin, an instrument that adds warmth to their sound. In the last song, Truth or Dare, the vibrant and dynamic presence of a three-piece horn section infuses the track with an irresistible groove that enhances its overall impact. The record got positive feedback from the incredibly talented independent musician and YouTuber Mary Spender. You can see her holding a Reset cassette in her video Cassette Tapes. The Future of Music?.
Mateja’s currently working on his third studio album Evidence, which will be released in early 2025.
For digital downloads and/or physical orders visit Mateja’s Bandcamp website.