Quite poignant, Justin Mattock imbues “Seventeen” with an autobiographical ethos. The question of the lessons learned from life comes to the forefront. Lyrics show off his cleverness with storytelling. Done with a sense of creativity, he pulls from his experience in the pop world to deliver something gorgeous. The way that the piece spirals up into the sky makes it beautiful. Volume here is of the essence because he makes sure that there is an intensity to his vision that comes across. Going deeper and deeper into the message, he lets this settle into the mind. 

A hushed awe takes hold of the track right from the beginning. The few moments from this start result in something steadily building its way up into a force to be reckoned with. Much of the experience invites the listener into tender tones. The drumming here reigns supreme, serving as an ideal counterpart to his delivery. Banjo, guitar, bass, and drums play off each other, resulting in this kaleidoscopic array. Plenty of textures pop on, giving the song the right degree of color. Due to the balance, he attains to the music; it swirls about in this glorious hue. Full of grandeur, he lets the listener focus on their past, allowing them to revisit moments to determine what they might have missed the first time. 

Beautifully balanced and flawlessly executed, Justin Mattock pushes country rock forward on the fevered dream of “Seventeen.”

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