Model Rockets Launch
And we'll hopefully take our dreams to the moon.
I think I just found the perfect suntanning album. I can’t find myself listening to my usual playlists when I lie down in my yard- I’ve been searching for something new to listen to. And that’s what I did, I looked into Model Rockets by Arlo Matthews. Lo and behold, I can get the perfect tan by listening to this album through once, front to back, 31 minutes on each side.
Arlo Matthews’ second album, Model Rockets, is a nine-track showcase of his sound.
Releasing on April 25, 2026, the album is a nostalgia-infused journey through Matthews’ scattered emotions and musical interests. Influenced just as much by rowdy Boston basements as by long drives through Connecticut, the album serves as a 70s folk-rock-inspired soundtrack to Matthews’ early adulthood.
In the nearly four years since his debut album, Matthews has taken the time to craft a record that is a true reflection of the variety and depth he has always wanted to explore in his music. To help him get there, Matthews enlists a slew of fellow artists and collaborators, summative of his career up to this point. From jaunty folk tunes, dirty rock songs, ambient experiments, and jangle pop head-bops, all the components are primed for the album to take flight.
You can find Arlo Matthews on all streaming services, as well as on Instagram @arlomatthewsmusic. For further inquiries, please contact arlomatthews42@gmail.com.
Holy summer montage. With the self-titled track, Model Rockets, as the opening track for this album, you can already feel what the vibe is for the rest of the songs. There’s always something so particular when artists do this. Some artists will make songs just to make songs for their album and not really relate them whatsoever. Something that really stood out to me from this particular album was the instrumental. I really think Boston and Connecticut struck a gold mine with this one- there’s so much I can say about the instrumental for each one of these songs that I’m literally speechless. This album is really priceless. Connecticut and Boston scenes have been fed well!
The transition from The Long Drive Home into Wickham Road was ethereal. I always say I’m a sucker for transitions in songs or how they blend, but this one would actually kill me if I heard it live. Wickham Road easily took my leaderboard spot for #1 song on the album. The ending bit seriously ties everything in together, and ohhhh my God. I’m always wondering how to be creative when it comes to music, and here Matthews is, coming up with literal masterpieces left and right.
I also think each track getting its own Instagram post was really creative. If you know me a little too well, you know how into cryptic or ominous posting I am. The blue tints to everything really set the vibe. While it wasn’t entirely super scary or anything, I know I would’ve loved the build-up to the release of this album!
Honestly, this whole album is just so cute and really lovely to listen to. It has this warm, cosy vibe that makes you want to roll the windows down and just enjoy the day, maybe while you’re driving to the beach or grabbing some ice cream. But even though it feels so nice, you should definitely pay attention to the lyrics. They’re actually super deep and meaningful once you really listen. It’s one of those rare records that works as a chill background soundtrack but also gives you a lot to think about if you’re really diving in. Check out Arlo Matthews’ link tree here.
