If you’ve been on the lookout for an ambient, post-rock track that’s both poignant and propelling, look no further. THE PAPER SEA, helmed by multi-instrumentalist Jared Matt Greenberg, premieres a delicate yet sublime music video for their new single “Past Is Prologue.”
Greenberg is no stranger to the music scene. A core member of Los Angeles post-rock quintet Whale Fall, he’s also dabbled in multiple genres, from shoegaze with the early ’90s San Francisco band The Rosemarys, to various collaborations including John Vanderslice and Dart. His solo project, THE PAPER SEA, is where Greenberg really homes in, offering intimate, crafted instrumental music that has already seen immense success with his debut album “Shadow Falls.”
Described as “uplifting ambient music” by Captured Howls and “compelling and hopeful” by We Write About Music, Greenberg’s previous work offers a tapestry of influences, from new wave to world music. The new track, “Past Is Prologue,” continues this trend but takes a minimalist synthwave turn, a nod to the late Vangelis and Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher. It’s an earnest look at the past, without ignoring the prospects of what’s to come.
For the music video, Greenberg collaborated with Swiss artist Greg Huber, known online as Testimonia. Huber’s visuals evoke the same retrofuturistic vibe of the track, providing a seamless blend of audio and visual storytelling.
It’s worth noting that Greenberg’s debut album “Shadow Falls” wasn’t just a blip. Garnering nearly 400,000 streams on Apple Music, the album has seen substantial radio play and countless playlist inclusions, like Apple Ambient Chill and Restorative Yoga. It was also listed as an Album of the Year by WherePostRockDwells and in the top 10 albums by Independent Clauses.
The artist already has plans for 2023, including a follow-up album slated for an early 2024 release and more live performances. Greenberg’s first live gig this year was in Los Angeles, and if “Past Is Prologue” is anything to go by, the future looks promising for both him and THE PAPER SEA.
“Past Is Prologue” is not just a track; it’s a symbiosis of music and visuals, nostalgia and futurism, created by an artist with a rich past and a compelling vision for the future.
