After more than four decades of creating, performing, producing, teaching, and recording music, Austin, Texas, musician Matt Smith begins another chapter with his 20th studio album, "…this is not ok…" Released independently on 6 String Ranch Records, the nine-song, 38-minute-and-30-second album seems very personal yet open enough for listeners to make their own connection.
The album fuses roots music, folk, blues, soul, rock, and Americana for a sound that seems rooted in history, yet speaks directly to the realities of modern life. Smith tackles challenging issues and the challenges of today’s world over its nine songs, but "…this is not ok…" is not an album that sits in frustration. Instead, there is a certain sense of thoughtfulness and humanism that pervades the effort. Smith confronts the uncertainty and division of the present moment with a wish to foster empathy, healing, and a greater awareness of what binds us. That balance lends the album emotional weight, but it never sounds hopeless.
Among the standouts is “World is a Wheel,” which makes an immediate impression, carrying the album's introspective spirit while giving listeners something to sit with. Another highlight is “Level Ground,” a song that readily belongs on the record’s larger quest for common ground and shared understanding. Another engaging depth to the album is "Bad Man," proving that Smith can also wrestle with complex concepts through music.
What makes "…this is not ok…" so compelling is the goal behind the compilation. Smith does not contribute to the increasingly politicized discussions. Instead, she provides music as a venue for contemplation, an area where painful truths can be confronted without losing sight of optimism. Incorporating roots-driven inspirations, personal songwriting, and a socially minded stance, "…this is not ok…" is a meaningful addition to Matt Smith’s extensive recording career. It’s an album born of experience, but ultimately it’s about connection, empathy, and the healing potential.
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