Since his debut release in 2008, Phaele… Read Full Bio ↴Phaeleh – pronounced “Fella”
Since his debut release in 2008, Phaeleh aka Matt Preston has developed an inimitable style of cinematic electronic music, which floats between the shifting tempos and timbres of dubstep, garage, electronica and house music.
Phaeleh’s last two long play releases on Afterglo records - ‘Fallen Light’ and ‘The Cold In You’ - have cemented his position as one of the most exciting new producers to emerge from his current hometown, Bristol. Phaeleh’s downbeat and heartfelt sound honours the tradition of Bristolian forefathers Massive Attack, Smith & Mighty and Portishead, with a fresh outlook and penchant for sub sonics.
This time, he’s skirted round the easy option and stepped away from any formulas that seemed too comfortable. “I was very aware of certain tracks which did very well in the past, and was keen to avoid just painting by numbers and taking the obvious route”, says Phaeleh, “I wanted to make an album where I didn’t feel influenced by the need to keep DJs happy with structure or style”.
‘Tides’ is very much an album that Phaeleh wanted to listen to, rather than one that he thought people wanted to hear. Aiming to achieve a more cinematic, musical experience but whilst still retaining the same emotional content of the early releases, he’s filtered in influences ranging from Philip Glass to Massive Attack and Boards of Canada but maintaining a sound that is distinctively Phaeleh.
His back catalogue has already seen him establish a strong fanbase. ‘Fallen Light’ and ‘The Cold In You’ have sold over 200k downloads and contributing to a staggering tally of more than 2 million monthly views on YouTube. This is supplemented by 65k+ Facebook fans and a Soundcloud following that turns over 75k plays per month, while he has also been readily embraced on the airwaves as well, picking up support across Radio 1, 6 Music, 1Xtra, Kiss and Rinse FM. He’s also risen to prominence as an in-demand remixer, reworking artists as diverse as chart-topping dance outfit Rudimental to classical composer Ludovico Einaudi, via much-hyped pop acts such as Charli XCX and Niki & The Dove.
His second album proper, ‘Tides’, is an evolutionary step with taut songcraft and melancholic tones. It features vocals by Jess Mills, Soundmouse (who collaborated on his most popular songs), and Augustus Ghost (one half of Snow Ghosts with Throwing Snow), who will also be performing alongside Phaeleh on his forthcoming live dates in the US.
www.phaeleh.co.uk
www.facebook.com/phaeleh
www.twitter.com/phaeleh
www.youtube.com/phaelehtv
Afterglow
Phaeleh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Making it mine, making it mine
Touching up all of the elements
Taking my time, taking my time
Taking a hold of the present day
Pushing it all, pushing it all, pushing it
Taking control of my destiny
Making it fine, making it fine, making it
The lyrics of Phaeleh's song "Afterglow" speak to taking charge of one's life and destiny. The singer is actively "taking control of the elements," which can be interpreted as the various aspects of their life that they have power over. They are making these elements their own, claiming ownership and agency over them. This is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase "making it mine," which emphasizes the singer's desire for control and ownership.
In the second stanza, the singer continues to emphasize intentionality and patience, as they "touch up all of the elements" and "take [their] time." Again, this suggests a deliberate and purposeful approach to life, in contrast to a reactive, passive one. When the singer declares they are "taking a hold of the present day" and "pushing it all," it reinforces their drive to take action and make things happen.
Line by Line Meaning
Taking control of the elements
Mastering the forces of nature and bending it to my will
Making it mine, making it mine
Claiming ownership and authority over the elements
Touching up all of the elements
Refining and perfecting my control of the elements
Taking my time, taking my time
Proceeding with patience and caution in manipulating the elements
Taking a hold of the present day
Seizing the opportunity in the present moment
Pushing it all, pushing it all, pushing it
Pushing forward with determination and force
Taking control of my destiny
Exerting control over the direction of my life
Making it fine, making it fine, making it
Ensuring it is satisfactory and to my liking
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHAD VACCARINO, IAN AXEL, LOUISE CAPLIN, MATTHEW PRESTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@El4Moe
2024 and still listening to this masterpiece
@phaeleh
Thanks so much!
@walkietalkie8334
Always here
@slutforspicyfood
2022 and im still in mad love with this master piece
@phaeleh
Always glad to hear that!
@hfhhfhfhghf8619
ofc.hes best!
@kirankrishna9669
Anyway it's 2023 now
@Funghamentalist
@@phaeleh your music is ageing like good wine! much love from croatia <3
@marat_ny157
2023
@1tapsocietyOTS
Underated. 2024 and I'm still here