Matthew Jay may not be a well-known name in the music industry yet, but one listen to his beautiful, emotion-filled indie ballads will leave you wanting more from this 22-year old Welshman. In his debut album “Draw,” Jay takes folk music and updates it with a melange of every kind of music genre, creating what he describes as “psychedelic” folk. This “bedroom artist” has come onto the music scene by opening for such big acts as “Dido” and “Shelby Lynne and the Doors.”

The album is filled with feel-good ballads as well as songs with tales of despair. Jay says he respects artists like John Lennon “who could make you laugh and cry within an eight bar frame.” Jay has altered the usual singer-songwriter custom of sitting on a stool, playing a guitar.

Although he has a love for all things acoustic, he prefers loud to quiet songs.

The album?s first single, “Let Your Shoulders Fall,” and the song “Call Out My Name” have a Beatles-esque melody about them, whereas the ballad “Become Yourself” is a more cheerful and inspiring piece. This song is filled with encouraging lyrics and positive messages: “He could be different from the rest if only he believed the voice that speaks inside of him, telling him that beauty hides beneath his skin,” sings Jay.

Every track on this record is brilliant and displays this young man?s distinct and impressive style of music. This rising star?s future looks promising, as he has already been compared to another United Kingdom singer, Nick Drake. This album is a nice one to relax and unwind to after a long and stressful day. His songs are pleasantly easy on the ears. There is meaning and purpose in the lyrics and his voice is one that is easy to fall in love with. “Draw” is definitely an awesome new addition to any music collection.