Description

For Matthew Doty, Deserta has always been about exploring asonic universe that allows him to express a kaleidoscope ofemotions, without having to say much at all. Through apatchwork of reverb-tinged textures – drone guitars, lingeringsynths and driving percussion – the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist weaves together stories ofcare, frustration and catharsis that ultimately stretch to a gentleresolve. On new album Every Moment, Everything You Need,Doty chronicles the kind of year we all fear, full of uncertainty,tension and sustained pressure, and transforms it into acelebration of perseverance. It’s an essential reminder that wehave the power to shape the stories we tell.The pandemic meant that Doty had to give up his studio anddownsize a lot of his gear and instead, carve out a space in histwo-bedroom apartment to craft the next chapter of Deserta.Sharing the space with his wife and son, Doty and his partnerare also essential healthcare workers, which meant the couplewould often have to tag-team childcare, along with 13-hourshifts in PPE and people constantly calling with questionsabout the ever changing guidelines and protocols.Once the blueprint for Every Moment, Everything You Needwas set, Doty reached out to a number of collaborators to stitchtogether his vision for the sonic landscape. James McAlister(Sufjan Stevens, The National, Taylor Swift) came onboard toperform and record drums, while Caroline Lufkin (Mice Parade)wrote and performed vocals on the ethereal “Where Did YouGo.” Elsewhere, the LP was mixed by Dave Fridmann (TameImpala, Mogwai, Interpol), with Beach House and Slowdiveproducer Chris Coady engineering and co-producing, makingthis the first time Fridmann and Coady had worked together ona project.While the vocals are more prominent than Deserta’s previousalbums, it’s their amalgamation with the instrumental aspectsthat secures Every Moment, Everything You Need as Deserta’smost confident and assured release to date. An affectingemotional candor teamed with persistent riffs and tenaciousrhythms sees Doty unafraid to dive deeper; an unrestrainedapproach that ushers in a lustrous purging of agitation andanxiety. Showcasing those dark, exhaustive thoughts throughcrucial swells and looped, electronic soundscapes, it’s an LPthat’s infinitely layered, with something new to discover witheach and every enchanting listen.