Themes like the banality and loneliness of life have been consistently weig… Read Full Bio ↴Themes like the banality and loneliness of life have been consistently weighed heavy on 23-year-old London artist Matt Maltese's records. Following his 2018 debut album "Bad Contestant" and acclaimed 2019 album "Krystal", which endeared him to tastemaker outlets like NME, NPR, Line Of Best Fit, Vice, Interview, DIY, Dork and more, his appropriately titled EP "madhouse" isn't just a score for the everyday boredoms we encounter.

Maltese has always nailed lonesome provocations with idiosyncratic dry wit but "madhouse" reckons with those emotions in a way the half Brittish, half Canadian hasn't yet fully explored until now. "I've found that sometimes the majority of the emotional journey of love and life is actually the search for an understanding of it. And these songs try and make peace with all of that, poke fun at it and, ultimately, embrace it."

Krystal
Matt Maltese Lyrics

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Krystal is a real pro
She's a red rose
She could wreck any home

Krystal is a good host
on a talk show
She could strike any pose

I forget if I ever loved anyone else
I forget if I ever loved anyone else

K's eyes are like first prize
These are hard times
But she carries on by

I forget if I ever loved anyone else
I'm a mess and I'll never love anyone else

I forget if I ever loved anyone else
I'm a mess and I'll never love anyone else

I'm obsessed and I'll never love anyone else
I forget if I ever loved anyone else

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Matt Maltese's Krystal portray the persona's admiration towards a woman named Krystal. She is initially described as a professional, possibly in the entertainment industry, but with a seductive power that could ruin any relationship. The persona then goes on to describe her as an excellent host on a talk show and an expert in the art of posing. The repetition of the phrase "I forget if I ever loved anyone else" creates a sense of confusion and destabilization in the persona's romantic life.

The second verse further emphasizes Krystal's captivating presence by comparing her eyes to a prize. The persona acknowledges the difficult times but acknowledges that Krystal persists regardless. The repetition of the phrase "I'm a mess and I'll never love anyone else" together with "I'm obsessed and I'll never love anyone else" suggests an emotional upheaval that implies a feeling of inferiority or inability to compare to the perceived perfection of Krystal.

Krystal is a song that portrays the persona's adoration and envy towards a woman they deem perfect. The lyrics are ambiguous, as they may be interpreted in two ways. First, as a love song towards Krystal, and second, as an indication of the persona's insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. The interpretation depends on the individual perspective of the listener.

Line by Line Meaning

Krystal is a real pro
Krystal is skilled and experienced at what she does

She's a red rose
She is beautiful and captivating

She could wreck any home
Krystal has the ability to break apart any relationship

Krystal is a good host
Krystal is able to entertain her guests well

on a talk show
speaking to a television audience

She could strike any pose
Krystal is versatile and can adapt to any situation

I forget if I ever loved anyone else
The singer is uncertain whether he has ever truly loved someone before

K's eyes are like first prize
Krystal's eyes are the best and most desirable

These are hard times
The present situation is difficult and challenging

But she carries on by
Krystal persists despite the challenges

I'm a mess and I'll never love anyone else
The singer is emotionally unstable and unable to love someone else