MATT ANDERSEN RELEASES SOULFUL AND INTIMATE NEW ALBUM THE HAMMER & THE ROSE
Andersen’s voice is masterful; deep and resonant, smooth and honey-rich, … full of character and story-telling quality. – Americana UK
“…a beautiful detour into intimacy… his cover of JJ Cale’s “Magnolia” is just as sublime. ” – Glide Magazine
APRIL 25, 2025 (HALIFAX, NS) – Revered, award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Matt Andersen has released his 11th studio album, The Hammer & The Rose, out today via Sonic Records (LISTEN HERE). Known for his prolific songwriting, powerhouse vocals and riveting performances, The Hammer & The Rosemay be the most intimate and nuanced album in Andersen’s celebrated body of work.
Andersen has just released a live performance video for “Tonight Belongs to You,” a soon-to-be first dance staple (WATCH HERE). “Life can pull me in all directions for all kinds of reasons,” says Andersen. “This song is for the person who always holds their own part of me.”
The album was preceded by the gently-swinging title track (WATCH), the seething country number “Wayaheadaya” (WATCH) and Andersen’s take on J.J. Cale’s classic “Magnolia” (WATCH).
The Hammer & The Rose is the follow up to the aptly titled 2023 Juno-nominated album The Big Bottle of Joy. The project featured a full band complete with horns and backup singers, and garnered high praise by the press in Canada, the US, and Europe. No Depression stated, “This is music that spurs elation, songs that reinforce the love of listening and living,” while Glide Magazine said, “Andersen has delivered as uplifting an album as you’ll likely hear this year or any year…”
For The Hammer & The Rose, Andersen chose a different approach to the recording. Inspired by producer and percussionist Joshua Van Tassel, who emphasized how the timbre and texture of Andersen’s voice shined during the quieter moments of his live performance, Andersen began to write new songs with a stripped-down feel in mind. The result is a captivating and deeply soulful 10-song offering that blends elements of folk, blues and gospel delivered with a warm and relaxed vibe. Recorded live off the floor in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Andersen enlisted an exceptional group of musicians/friends to capture his vision for The Hammer & The Rose, all of whom are featured in the video of the recording. The album features Afie Jurvanen (acoustic guitar) and Christine Bougie (lap steel) from Bahamas, Aaron Comeau (keys), Kyle Cunjak (acoustic bass), with producer Van Tassel on percussion.
Matt Andersen brings a lifetime of music to every note he plays. Whether fronting a band or accompanied only by acoustic guitar, his powerful vocals combined with the charisma and command he exudes is completely mesmerizing. He has spent decades cutting his teeth in dusty clubs, dim-lit bars, and grand theatres all over the world, delivering moving performances that run the gamut from intimate to wall-shaking. His multi-faceted and poignant body of work – has led him to amass over 33 million streams on Spotify and 30 million views on YouTube. In addition to headlining major festivals, clubs and theatres throughout North America, Europe, and Australia, he has shared the stage and toured with Marcus King, Beth Hart, Marty Stuart, Greg Allman, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Bachman, Serena Ryder, Tab Benoit and more.
Andersen has been very well-received by UK media. RNR Magazine summed up his wide-ranging soundscape saying: “Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist Matt Andersen is often described as a bluesman, though in truth his remit has been far beyond that for many years.” His albums have garnered great reviews, including Uncut Magazine on House to House: “The wilful acoustic album is always a statement of confidence in two things: the songs, and the voice. In Andersen’s case, neither is misplaced.” And Americana-UK on The Big Bottle of Joy: “This is an album that grabs you by the throat from the opening bars of the first track to the last and it refuses to let you go.” Of his astounding live shows, Building Our Own Nashville declared: “The power of Andersen is incredible.”