Welcome to Mixtape, our weekly feature where we hand the keys to the WASTOIDS Spotify account over to cool folks to share what they’re listening to.
Under the project name Sureson, Arizona songwriter Tyler Matock (Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold) creates neon-tinged, openhearted pop. Joined by a cast of collaborators including producer and multi-instrumentalist Rob Kroehler (former touring guitarist for fun.), Matock blends new wave gloss, drum machine-driven electro-pop, and country rock harmonies—think The Cars meet Dr. Dog. Songs like the effervescent “Hnda CVC” and “See You Later Alli” are stuffed with hooks, but a gentle tone of melancholy keeps things from ever feeling too saccharine.
For WASTOIDS mixtape, Matock let loose. “I tried to get real diverse with the artists—and I love mixing in some dub songs to breakup all the rock ‘n roll, then I sort of wound it down with some acoustic-driven type stuff,” he explains. Across 31 tracks, Matock casts a wide net, reeling in everything from the AOR pomp of Procol Harum to the shoegaze of Slowdive to the Nigerian electro funk of William Oneyeabor. Spanning power pop, reggae, indie rock, and more, it’s a welcome entry into the world of sound playing in Matock’s head. Follow Sureson on Instagram.