On The Library at the Very Bottom of This Place, from MYTH: Side Two, the Stirling-hailing troubadour of raw rancour, The Narcissist Cookbook (Matt Johnston) delivered an acoustic punk sermon that cuts right to the core.
Opening with ragged, chopped guitar chords, the track clears a barren stage for Johnston’s raw spoken-word poetry to take centre stage. Each word furls like smoke above the sparse instrumentation, leaving space for the jagged lyricism to pierce through and embed itself in the listener’s psyche.
Marked with defiance and rage, Johnston’s delivery ensures every ounce of sentiment lands with weight, echoing the poetic intensity of Neutral Milk Hotel, Amigo the Devil, and ROAR. Stripped back to its raw bones, the track’s minimalist instrumentation heightens the visceral connection, proving that less can be infinitely more when the narrative is this evocative.
Johnston may have only developed their histrionic half-spoken vocal style after losing their singing voice, but even away from traditional semblances of harmony, the track leaves nothing to be desired in the way of euphony.
With nearly 100 sold-out headline tour dates across the US and Europe, 30 million+ streams, and acclaim as one of Scotland’s most successful cult artists, Johnston’s ability to create art that defies expectation is unparalleled.
Stream and purchase The Library at the Very Bottom of This Place on Bandcamp now.
Review by Amelia Vandergast
