Getting lost in distractions. Feeling the pressure to keep trudging on, even though you’ve been worked to the bone for too long. Doing anything you can to cope with the stress, the burnout.
Award-winning art-pop artist Mat Elliott debuts his first full-length record, Video Games, on April 29. Like his debut EP South Endings from last year, it sounds soulful, smooth, and synth-heavy. In true Mat Elliott fashion, it’s also deeply personal.
From tracks like the titular single “Video Games”, detailing the vices we pick up to feel alive when otherwise downtrodden, to the shaken vow of sobriety that is “Promises”, Elliott is pulling from his life as it is, not as it once was.
“This album is a little more reflective of the current season of my life,” says Elliott. “Working super hard, feeling like I’m burnt out, not feeling like I’m able to hold on tightly to any one given thing.
“The biggest thing I tried to do with this record that I learned from the last record was, you know, instead of writing about break-ups that happened… I’m picking from things that I’m feeling in the moment and just really putting that onto paper.”
Pulling from his present isn’t the only lesson he pulled from his debut EP, which won Music Nova Scotia’s New Artist Recording of the Year award in 2025.
Elliott worked with voice teacher Rachel Delano to help improve his singing, especially when it came to melodies and keys, which he says helped him find comfort in his own voice. He also honed in on his workflow with mixing engineer John Mullane (Future Dad), intent on finding a sound, style and process that works for him.
Video Games was mostly done recording by the time he received any honours for his first project, but Elliott nonetheless felt the pressure.
“I definitely feel pressure representing myself and representing the kind of music that I listen to and what I’m making,” says Elliott. “It’s always nervous stepping outside of the comfort zone and like, there’s a couple of tracks on the record that are just a little bit different and kind of outside my sound.”
Yet, Elliott’s record proves that there’s no sound he can’t pull off. “Promises” is one of the most emotional tracks on the new LP: a finger-picked acoustic with Elliott carrying the melody as he laments his broken promises. “When I’m Sad”, a synth-pop track driven by a funky bassline, topped off once again by Elliott’s soulful vocals. “Out of Your Hands” is one of Elliott’s best songs yet, combining his greatest qualities as a musician: his passion for soul and R&B, his light-yet-smooth singing, his irresistibly catchy synth lines, paired with some catchy guitar riffs (some of which were contributed by Jack Murtha of POSTFUN).
With support from Kristian Montano (Montano Mastering), Elliott’s wife Kendall Jones singing background vocals, Jamie Kronick on drums, and Krystal Penney creating breathtaking artwork for the record, Elliott is appreciative of everyone who has worked with him to make his full-length debut a fulfilling endeavour.
“This album wouldn’t be possible without all of those awesome collaborators,” he says.
Video Games is out now on streaming platforms. Elliott’s next performance is set to be at Nova Fest, taking place from May 16-17 at Alderney Landing.
