The Wonderfool—the recording project of singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Matt Vinson—has released “Cool Shade.” Marking the lead single of his fourth full-length studio album, Shiner, the song showcases an inviting vintage, sun-baked shimmer. Click here to listen to “Cool Shade."
American Songwriter unveiled The Wonderfool’s single earlier this week raving that “Cool Shade” “evokes a hypnotic dream state…a shimmering texture, creating more melodic depth to the summertime song…‘Cool Shade’ furthers his folk agenda, moving with ease into a dynamic new soundscape.”
Notably one third of the chart-topping folk group CAAMP, Vinson says: “‘Cool Shade’ is a song about finding a nice quiet place in your mind & observing all the good in the world around you. We all share the feeling sometimes of thinking that there’s more work to be done; love to share - But chances are everyone around you probably thinks you’re doing just fine!”
Out Wednesday, August 11 via Gjenny Records, the nine-track Shiner is a soundtrack for early mornings and late nights mixing the organic with the synthesized, the intimate with the collaborative, and folky with the pop-inspired.
Vinson was stuck indoors by the pandemic after the band had to cancel their touring plans. Vinson found himself with ample time on his hands and turned that isolation into an opportunity to create something new: a combination of modern folk melodies, forward-thinking production, and lyrics about fighting off one's inner demons.
"The album has a blend of happy, poppy songs that are filled with themes of personal betterment," Vinson explains, "and moody songs with a sonic space that lets the emotion of the song ring true. It's something you can listen to in the morning, before you go to bed, or while sitting in a hammock. It's reflective music. With Shiner, I finally encapsulated that feeling."
Shiner Track Listing:
“Much Better”
“Time (Done Being Late)”
“Shake the Dust”
“Cool Shade”
“Counterweight”
“The Man You Knew”
“Truth of the Matter”
“Young & Able”
“The Day Before Your Last”
Vinson encapsulated The Wonderfool during 2015 while studying at Ohio University. From there he solely worked alone recording, producing, and writing. However, as Shiner took shape, the record proved to be something quite different, full of guest appearances from fellow road warriors (including CAAMP frontman Taylor Meier) and fueled by Vinson's sharpest songwriting to date.
