Ajay Mathur – ‘Blow My Cover’ [Album Review]

Singer-songwriter Ajay Mathur recently released his new album, Blow My Cover, an album based on trust that blows the cover off cover songs.

Mathur gave up control over his music, asking other musicians around the globe to reimagine one or more of his previously released songs. There were no constraints. Shortly afterward, the tracks began to trickle in. Thirteen interpretations by roots, folk, jazz, classical, and rock musicians from Tokyo to Los Angeles and Chicago to Buenos Aires.

Speaking subjectively, entry points on Blow My Cover include “LITTLE BOAT,” riding a slow, drifting rhythm topped by dreamy, luminous guitars as Mathur’s evocative vocals imbue the lyrics with tender timbres. The original version, vaguely reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet, traveled on a mid-tempo beat with hints of tropical savors.

“FOR A FRIEND OF MINE’ rolls out on a floating, country melody, decked out in a poignant piano and gleaming strings. A personal favorite because of its tribal drums and ghost-like vocals, “MY WORLD (SOS TO THE UNIVERSE” shudders with eerie industrial accents and elements of indie-rock.

Drenched in country blues harmonics, “WALKING ON THE WATER” features twangy guitars atop a hillbilly, hoedown-lite rhythm. For some reason, this song conjures up memories of early Elvis with its upbeat tangs of Southern blues rock.

The Leonard Cohen-like “ALL YOUR THOUGHTS” closes the album out. Mathur’s husky, low tones infuse the lyrics with contrite melancholy over a lightly strummed acoustic guitar.

Ranging from country to folk to Latin aromas to mysterious rock, Blow My Cover reveals an unpretentious intimacy.

Ajay Mathur

Blow My Cover Track Listing:

1. FORGET ABOUT YESTERDAY
2. LITTLE BOAT
3. FOR A FRIEND OF MINE
4. PENNIES TO GOLD
5. OH ANGEL
6. ORDINARY MEMORY
7. COMEDIAN
8. MY WORLD (SOS TO THE UNIVERSE)
9. ALL FOR YOU
10. TURN AROUND
11. WALKING ON THE WATER
12. THERE WE ARE
13. ALL YOUR THOUGHTS

Run Time: 49:30
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Record Label: Independent