Matt Maltese Explores Heartfelt Reflection on Intimate New Album ‘Hers’

British singer-songwriter Matt Maltese returns with his sixth studio album Hers. Marking his most introspective work yet, Hers sees Maltese step back into the producer’s chair for the first time since 2019’s Krystal, crafting a deeply personal record that dissects the complexities of long-term love and emotional memory.

Known for his poetic lyrics and signature melancholic charm, Maltese leans into subtler instrumentation this time around — pairing soft piano motifs with fluttering woodwinds and gentle string flourishes. The result is an album that feels hushed and vulnerable, as though we’re hearing love letters penned in the quiet hours of the night.

“I’ve written a lot of music that comes from a place of infatuation, but this record was written on reflection of a much longer-term love. The complications and wonderful roads that that goes through and the more informed heartaches that come out of it. I got to really reflect and slave over it… It’s a bit like having a year to write a really important email. 

“I’m British enough to feel a slight shame of writing so many love songs in the past,” he adds. “Maybe the more interesting thing on paper would have been to go to the other side of the world and write a concept album about prehistoric creatures or something, but at the end of the day, we’re all human, and love and people are things we’re all continually affected by. It’s my job as a songwriter to excavate the things in my life, and that’s what I was going through.” – Matt Maltese.

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Standout single Happy Birthday captures this essence perfectly. With equal parts wry humour and emotional depth, the track reflects on the strange, lingering gestures we maintain after a breakup — like sending birthday wishes to someone we no longer know. It’s these kinds of small, human details that Maltese magnifies so powerfully.

“I grew up when writing ‘happy birthday’ 108 times a year on peoples Facebook pages without any punctuation was socially acceptable behaviour, and I’ve always thought how interesting it is looking back.. such a plain message but always so much unsaid between senders and recipients in those two words. The socially conventional shell for a million other feelings. And I think in break ups, the ‘happy birthday’ text is the last thing to go. Sometimes it goes on years longer than anything else, and that’s fascinating, I think. Reflecting on this, it started to really interest me to get that into a song. A light title, but all the anguish underneath the surface. Maybe someday, people all over the world will joyfully chant ‘I’d break my legs in half..’ when the cake comes out. Or not.” – Matt Maltese. 

Currently supporting Hers with a string of in-store shows, Maltese will embark on his most ambitious global tour yet this September. From emotional intimacy to international stages, Hers proves Matt Maltese remains one of indie’s most poignant and thoughtful voices.