Chase Matthew – We All Grow Up

Review

Chase Matthew's "We All Grow Up" pours out six tracks thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass and memories that hit like an old photograph found in your granddad’s glove compartment. He’s never been one to shy away from the honest grit of country living, and this EP’s got all the raw, dusty boots-and-blue-jeans spirit you’d hope for after his barnstorming headline tours. The project comes loaded with a familiar blend of backroad bravado and busted-up hearts, weaving tales about finding your footing when life gets a bit uneven under your boots.

The title track, "We All Grow Up," hits a sweet, nostalgic vein; close your eyes, and you’ll almost hear the crackle of a campfire, taste the smoke, see the grinning faces whittling away the small-town blues. "Small Town Shit" leans into those country roots with storytelling that’d sit right at home beside the classics, while "Darlin'" slips in a surprising hip-hop flavor—showing Chase isn't afraid to walk both sides of the railroad tracks. This EP marks a solid pivot point for him, opening new lanes in his music but keeping one hand tight on the wheel of country tradition. For anybody who grew up with George Strait on the radio but keeps an ear out for what’s coming around the bend, Matthew’s journey is shaping up to be a good ride. - Rex