Monrad is the solo project of Matthew Ramon from Kortrijk. In his twenties, he was part of Rencontrez l’amour, a surf-punk band soaked in reverb. It wasn't until he settled in a small village in Italy that he returned to making music. Staying true to his reverb-drenched guitar sound, Matthew began to experiment with various instruments, genres, styles, and sounds.
After countless hours and late-night sessions, guided by Filip Tanghe (known for his work with Balthazar, Warhaus, and J.Bernardt), Matthew released his first EP 'Monrad' in 2019. This was followed by two years of intense musical exploration and self-discovery, resulting in his debut album 'Wired' in 2021.
Now, three years later, Monrad is back with a brand-new EP, titled ‘Not By Design’ and ready to make waves. Once again teaming up with Filip Tanghe as producer.
The EP 'Not By Design' builds on previous releases, experimenting with synthesizers and various musical layers. For these recordings, bassist Simon Casier (Balthazar, Zimmerman, Noémie Wolfs) and drummer Michiel Balcaen (Warhaus, Balthazar, Rosenahl) laid down a solid rhythm section. With a dark voice that floats between singing and spoken word, driving drums, and atmospheric guitars, Monrad takes you on a journey through layered soundscapes where harmony and tension intertwine.
Monrad's brand new EP ‘Not By Design’ is the reflection of a forty-something on the verge of a midlife crisis. With this EP, Monrad takes us into the indecision at a crossroads in life — a raw and candid portrait.
Somewhere around your forties, you start to reflect. Where am I? What do I want? What should I have done differently? These are the questions at the heart of 'Not By Design,’ Monrad’s new EP, which, across six gripping tracks, explores the doubts, insecurities, and uneasy realizations of someone wondering if this is really it. Influenced by artists like The National and Nick Cave, Matthew Ramon plunges you into the darker side of existence with this record. On the other hand, he stays close to reality. There are no grand, lofty answers to be found here — just a search for meaning and direction.
Opening track ‘On Fire’ brings the symbolic fire of ambition and doubt to life. “Don’t let us down, I’m all alone now.” This track sets the tone for the EP, encapsulating the inner turmoil and desire for something more.
‘Not Yet’, the EP’s focus track, sounds like the soundtrack of a heartbreak where you wrestle with the question of whether you can ever move on. An honest portrayal of a shattered heart.
‘Caught Up’ is about being stuck in the daily grind between work, family, and the accompanying obligations. You hear the voice of a forty-something trying to juggle it all, only to one day realize there's no more room to stretch. The urge to escape is strong, but to where? The chorus perfectly captures that moment with the line: “Right now, I am just down for whatever, as long as it keeps me entertained.” A song that sounds like a forced attempt to regain control, but where the grip is slowly slipping away.
‘Whatever It Takes’ feels like an anthem for those standing on the brink of a big decision but still needing that final push. It's about indecision, procrastination, and doubts. The powerful message comes through in the chorus, offering hope for finding resolve amid chaos.
‘Rumble’ is an ode to the resilience of love, even when things get tough. Fights, misunderstandings, and lost trust all come into play, while the core message of the song lingers in a desire to still make it work: “We’ll make it, I’ll do anything for you.”
In ‘The Game’, the everyday life and the role we play in it are philosophized. We all want to belong somewhere, a sense of stability and control, but once we have it, we realize it might not be what we thought. The lyrics make you question whether the game we’re playing is truly our own, or if we’re just participating without really living. 'The Game' shows that, ultimately, we’re all part of the same cycle, and how we play that game is up to us.
