Neilaworld members meld together to create a truly memorable EP
As June begins and the first half of 2019 comes to a close, the underground finds itself in an interesting state. With the majority of the newest wave of mainstream artists initially hailing from SoundCloud, the platform’s popularity nears an all-time high. As quite possibly the premier free streaming service, the website prides itself in providing a canvas for upcoming musicians to display their work; however, this popularity comes at a cost. Never before has the underground been so oversaturated on all fronts, and separating the wheat from the chaff has become an extremely difficult and often tiresome task. Despite all of this, one particular Clearwater, FL native sits in an interesting position: he is part of the one percent that can truly claim the statement, “No one else sounds like me”.
Ed Barrios is distinct; an applicable word that accurately describes just about every endeavor that he’s carved a niche for himself in. His work as Mixed Matches took SoundCloud by storm throughout 2018, captivating listeners with his angelic singing and saccharine harmonies. First gaining major traction at the release of the Ginseng co-produced track “Absence”, MM’s fan base seemed to grow even more with the release of the second and third installments of the trinity series. His first full-length cut of 2019, I Don’t Know Where You Are, released in March, was fueled by his dreamy vocals and production from standout members of the elusive Red Mirror.
While some of his listeners occasionally find it difficult to transcribe his words, the soundscapes he creates around his vocals have proven time and time again that he can serenade any listener, regardless of understanding. His gorgeous, lush production also landed him a spot in the critically-acclaimed underground collective NeilaWorld last summer, leading to some notable tracks with fellow friends and artists Hollow, Nappy 01’, Shiro, and Callari; the latter of which received a music video that was uploaded on Astari.
On Instagram Live, Barrios is quick to reply to a viewer asking what effects he uses on his voice, explaining that it all lies in having a good register. He takes great pride in his vocal ability and personal sound; a sharp contrast to the emotional vulnerability that seems to be ubiquitous in his lyrics. Despite their seemingly esoteric nature and difficulty to decipher, many of Mixed Matches’s songs read like letters to former lovers; some of them apologetic, some of them prideful, some of them accusatory. While his previous EP, I Don’t Know Where You Are, explored a different relationship and varying situations with each track, Barrios’s newest Lukrative-fueled offering Ready for the World focuses in on a singular relationship, providing analysis on the heights, the pitfalls, and everything in between.
MM spoke on the EP: “It’s definitely a NeilaWorld themed project and Lukrative is a good friend of mine. I had a lot of fun making it; it was definitely me experimenting a little by taking influence from bands like M83 and New Order and even by working solely with one producer for the project”.
Mixed Matches opens the project on “Ammonia” amid thick synths, bells and booming drums. The first two lines waste no time in setting the mood, and the beginning of the intro and the verse with the words “Who knows..” display his own confusion regarding his lost relationship with a lover. Though he attempts to apologize and pleads that he can change if needed, he steps back and questions his own motivations, realizing that throughout it all, he hasn’t even grown as a person, much less as a boyfriend.
“Who knows if I even loved you then // ‘Cause I don’t really think I love myself // To never really know what happens next, I can’t // Wonder if there even is a light”
The lead single “Maybe” sees Mixed Matches assume an old form reminiscent of “mt”, lowering his vocals and cloaking them in bountiful keys and synths, ducking even further in Lukrative’s beautifully simplistic production. With one last chance to keep their relationship afloat, MM reaches out to his lover in hopes that she will be honest with him and explain her discomfort that has left both of them, particularly him, backed against the wall with no hope of escape. Despite his hopes for a peaceful negotiation, his significant other doesn’t seem so optimistic.
“ ‘Maybe’ was one of my favorite songs to make but it also serves as a transition piece between I Don’t Know Where You Are and the sequel that’s coming out later this year.” Mixed Matches says.
The theme of uncertainty continues its appearance throughout the project, though it manifests differently on “Assembly.” Contrasting the first two tracks, Barrios takes a more nonchalant approach to the relationship, stepping back and asking why they even began fighting in the first place and questioning the need for conflict. He explores both sides of the coin in terms of possible outcomes: in the chorus, he insists on her not letting go of him and their relationship, though his true skepticism shows in the second verse when he considers why he should stay just to see his lover eventually walk away. Lukrative’s crisp percussion sits beautifully on top of the smooth melody that floats right alongside MM’s vocals while an arp reaches up and down the instrumental.
The artist’s apologetic nature comes out on “Vacant” as he laments about not wanting to let his lover down over a colorful Lukrative beat. MM remarks on his inability to provide her honesty and truth when she needed it the most in their relationship, and how no matter what they do to fix or break their standing with each other, he continues to feel empty and relatively apathetic about it. “Sugarcane” sees Lukrative lay one of the tape’s best instrumentals for Mixed Matches to tread over as he complains about her inability to understand his motives and feelings until he is forced to convey them; instead of being genuinely interested in his problems and solving their conflicts, she instead continues to rave and rant about them. He concludes in the chorus by begging her to “give him something to believe in” so that he’ll have something to hold on to in hopes that their bond doesn’t break.
“Give me something to believe in // I don’t want to let it be // And every time I trust in you // I don’t think you know me”
“MakeBelieve” sees Barrios conclude the project by laying it all on the line for their relationship and briefly reflecting on it afterwards. Providing vivid imagery of hot, pouring rain to describe the pain felt from the love lost, he questions his intentions from the start and wonders why anyone would wish to spend their lives in a stagnant state. The refrain of “Forever // Forever, let me go” following each chorus reaffirms their respective positions in each other’s lives long after all the conflict has ended. While it’s unclear by the end of the project whether or not MM and his lover make it out alive or go their separate ways, the project ends with a respectful plea for understanding.
“I didn’t want to make believe // But it’s a testament of me // But this is your reality // So make it the best for me”
Ready for the World sees Mixed Matches reach to all corners of his repertoire to pull together a project that finds beauty in conflict and strife. Lukrative’s booming drums offer a break from MM’s traditional soft percussion, all the while providing truly timeless instrumentals. With another full length project on the way, MM doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Check out Ready for the World: