Matt Randall, accompanied by a close knit family of fellow Essex based musicians, has been releasing albums as Plantman since around 2010. Beautiful, enchanting collections that have consistently enriched my life since stumbling upon his stunning ‘Whispering Trees’ album in late 2015.

In 2016, I was fortunate enough to catch Plantman live at the Leigh Folk Festival, where the band turned in one of the finest local live performances I’ve ever witnessed. Here’s ‘Slow Design’ from that perfect Sunday afternoon…

My late 2020 was brightened considerably by whispers of a new album, and now in early December here it is. Days Of The Rocks. It might just be his best yet.

This time out Matt is assisted by long standing bandmate Adam Radmall, with support from musical allies Roy Thirlwall/Michelle Bappoo (Melodiegroup), Leighton Jennings (Dark Globes) and recording engineer/studio wizard John Hannon. All of these contributors add their own colour and flavour to the album, whilst never overpower the homespun essence of Matts writing.

Highlight is the wonderful High Hopes, recorded largely at home on 8 track before being ‘tidied up’ at NO studio, where the album was predominantly recorded. The low key drum machine ticking along puts me in mind of those gorgeous early Durutti Column sides, and the sweeping instrumental passages echo peak New Order (think Your Silent Face, but with guitars in place of synths).

This is probably Matts most direct statement to date. Most songs clock in around or under the three minute mark, and not a single second is wasted. 2020 has pulled most of us to the very edge of our being, so when the title track asks us “did you ever feel young…?” it hits me like a train, every single time.

Matt is a gardener by trade, and he always paints this beautifully into his music. Listening to this album I hear the sun rising, winter rain, the budding of spring… it’s all there waiting to be discovered. The album is currently available digitally via Bandcamp, ahead of a full release next year. Dive in folks, you’ll never look back.