After A Few Detours, Matt Stell Has Arrived With Debut EP ‘Last of the Best’

Arkansas native Matt Stell always knew that music was his calling, he just had to find the road that would lead him to his final destination. He took a few detours along the way, but each only strengthened his hunger; while playing basketball for Drury University, Stell picked up the guitar and lime-lighted as a singer/songwriter performing at a local bar.  Then while on a Medical Mission in Haiti, he recognized that the way doctors were making patients feel better was exactly what he wanted to do with his music. But when he returned, he applied –  and got in – to Harvard’s acclaimed pre-med program.

That’s when his musical destiny decided to show its path. As he prepared to move to Boston, an opportunity that would allow him to see his dreams as an artist come to fruition arrived. Now, thanks to that opportunity via Wide Open Music, Stell has released his debut EP Last of the Best.  All six tracks are originally penned by Stell, and the various genres that he grew up listening to – rap, rock and country – are all represented.

Take the first track, “Better I Drink.”  The “drink your worries away anthem” (“gonna drown my heart in a whiskey rain“) features Stell’s gritty vocals, a rockish vibe and a rap verse:

Another anthemic track on the album is “Nothing Wrong.”  With an infectious beat, “Nothing Wrong” is about celebrating the end of a hard-worked week (“We put the work in the work week / We put the sweat in the 40 / We paid our bills and we paid our dues / We did our time, yes, and now we’re due / We’re firin’ up and blowin’ off steam / Ain’t got no plans, ain’t got no gotta be’s/ It’s finally Friday 5:30 and all I know is I’m thirsty). 

Ever meet someone at a bar, ask them if they are a country music fan, and they say no? Stell has, and she’s the subject of “When I See One.”  The lyrics describe Stell telling said beautiful woman how it’s a shame as she’s not a fan as she’s pretty much a living country song:

I said “Hey, do you like country music?”
She was like “no, no no”
That’s a shame, ’cause you look like a beauty
Breaking hearts in those sad ol’ songs
It’s like every one was written ’bout you
All of the things you could do
And have me singing about pain and heartbreak just like Hank,
I’ll be crying, crying
Gotta body like whiskey,
Burns so sweet ’til the damage is done
I know a good country song when I see one

The coin of love gets flipped several times on this EP. “Prayed For You” is a beautiful song about praying for that special person to enter your life; holding on to faith that you will meet your soulmate. Stell’s vocals are warm and hopeful, bringing a depth and sincerity to the lyrics. In “Last of the Best,” Stell knows the best relationship he’s ever had is just about over, and while there’s no chance of turning back, perhaps they could give it one last hurrah.

Stell might have taken his time to get to where he’s supposed to be, but he got there.  As Last of the Best has proved, he’s officially arrived, and expect him to stay around for a while.

To purchase Last of the Best, click here.

For more information Matt Stell, visit his website: www.mattstell.com

Last of The Best Track Listing:
1. “Better I Drink” – Matt Stell, Autumn McEntire, Larry McCoy
2. “When I See One” – Matt Stell, Autumn McEntire, Chris Roberts
3. “Prayed For You” – Matt Stell, Ash Bowers, Allison Veltz
4. “Nothing Wrong” – Matt Stell, Brett Beavers, John Caldwell
5. “Last Of The Best” – Matt Stell, Autumn McEntire, Danielle Blakey
6. “Sex, Drugs, & Country Music” – Matt Stell