Songwriter Matt Maltese has achieved a level of success that many artists can only dream of, but his rise to fame remains shrouded in humility and a sense of wonder. When he was working on a stripped-back piano ballad about imagining his own funeral, titled 'Magnolias', it seemed like just another casual co-writing session with friends three years ago. Fast forward to today, the song has become the final track on Rosalía's critically-acclaimed album Lux, catapulting Maltese into the spotlight.
Maltese's indie-pop balladry is a masterful blend of modern sensitivity and witty humor reminiscent of his hero Leonard Cohen. With six solo albums since 2018, he has carved out a niche for himself in the music industry, amassing an impressive following of six million monthly listeners on Spotify and over one billion streams combined. His latest album Hers, a lush exploration of longing and desire, marked his first chart success.
Despite being dropped by Atlantic Records after his debut album failed to meet expectations, Maltese persevered, focusing on songwriting as a craft rather than an identity-defining act. This mindset allowed him to produce music that resonated with audiences beyond the confines of major-label pressures. His viral TikTok moment came when 'As The World Caves In', an apocalyptic ballad imagining Donald Trump and Theresa May spending their last night together, blew up worldwide in 2021.
Charli Xcx and Shawn Mendes publicly praised the song, catapulting Maltese to a new audience, primarily comprising young adults aged 18-23. This shift was both invigorating and confusing for him, as he had initially built a reputation among divorced dads and students with his earlier work. Nonetheless, it allowed him to headliner at a renowned Greek theater in Los Angeles, further cementing his growing influence.
Maltese's passion lies not in fame but rather in the art of songwriting itself. He emphasizes the importance of co-writing, both within groups and intimate collaborations with artists. His bond with singer Celeste is particularly noteworthy, as they explored unconventional spaces to create music together, most notably a freezing grotty rehearsal space.
His close relationship with Joy Crookes led to them co-writing the standout single 'Mathematics', which boasts an astonishing guest verse from Kano, a UK rap legend. Despite his rising profile, Maltese remains humble about his growing cultural relevance and feels fortunate for people caring about his work.
Maltese's career highlights both the beauty of unexpected opportunities and the value of dedication to one's art. While his rapid ascent to fame has undoubtedly opened doors, he remains grounded by his love for songwriting and its ability to transcend the boundaries of social media platforms.
Maltese's indie-pop balladry is a masterful blend of modern sensitivity and witty humor reminiscent of his hero Leonard Cohen. With six solo albums since 2018, he has carved out a niche for himself in the music industry, amassing an impressive following of six million monthly listeners on Spotify and over one billion streams combined. His latest album Hers, a lush exploration of longing and desire, marked his first chart success.
Despite being dropped by Atlantic Records after his debut album failed to meet expectations, Maltese persevered, focusing on songwriting as a craft rather than an identity-defining act. This mindset allowed him to produce music that resonated with audiences beyond the confines of major-label pressures. His viral TikTok moment came when 'As The World Caves In', an apocalyptic ballad imagining Donald Trump and Theresa May spending their last night together, blew up worldwide in 2021.
Charli Xcx and Shawn Mendes publicly praised the song, catapulting Maltese to a new audience, primarily comprising young adults aged 18-23. This shift was both invigorating and confusing for him, as he had initially built a reputation among divorced dads and students with his earlier work. Nonetheless, it allowed him to headliner at a renowned Greek theater in Los Angeles, further cementing his growing influence.
Maltese's passion lies not in fame but rather in the art of songwriting itself. He emphasizes the importance of co-writing, both within groups and intimate collaborations with artists. His bond with singer Celeste is particularly noteworthy, as they explored unconventional spaces to create music together, most notably a freezing grotty rehearsal space.
His close relationship with Joy Crookes led to them co-writing the standout single 'Mathematics', which boasts an astonishing guest verse from Kano, a UK rap legend. Despite his rising profile, Maltese remains humble about his growing cultural relevance and feels fortunate for people caring about his work.
Maltese's career highlights both the beauty of unexpected opportunities and the value of dedication to one's art. While his rapid ascent to fame has undoubtedly opened doors, he remains grounded by his love for songwriting and its ability to transcend the boundaries of social media platforms.
... remember when artists would just make music because they wanted to, not just for clout or a record deal? Matt Maltese's story is like something out of a indie-folk dream, you know? From being dropped by a label to still killing it on his own terms. It's like he took the lessons from Leonard Cohen and applied them to his own sound 
... anyway, what I love about him is how genuine he stays despite all the hype. And that TikTok moment was wild! Who would've thought 'As The World Caves In' would blow up worldwide? 
! Matt Maltese is like a superhero in the music industry - his talent went from being unknown to widely recognized without him losing his cool 
. His humility is truly inspiring, especially after facing rejection early on 
. It's awesome that he's still true to himself and his art, not letting fame go to his head 
!
. I mean, who would've thought that a casual co-writing session with friends three years ago would turn into his song "Magnolias" being featured on Rosalía's album Lux? It just goes to show that talent and hard work can take you places in the most unexpected ways 
.
. The way he co-writes with other artists, like Celeste and Joy Crookes, is really inspiring too - it's like he's spreading this beautiful energy through his collaborations 
.
. It's a great reminder that success isn't always easy or linear - sometimes it's the ups and downs that make the journey worthwhile 
.
. He didn't let it go to his head or lose sight of what was important to him. And now, he's getting recognition from artists like Charli Xcx and Shawn Mendes - talk about an A-list endorsement 
!
. He doesn't seem to be fazed by all the attention or fame, and that's really refreshing. It's like he's reminding us that art is just a part of who we are, and not something that defines us 
.
.
. I also love how humble he stays despite all the attention – it's refreshing to see someone in his position still prioritizing their art over fame 
. And can we talk about his collabs? He's been working with some amazing artists, like Celeste and Joy Crookes, to create truly special music 
. Matt Maltese is the real MVP, and I'm excited to see what he does next 
!
that just happened to have the best cold brew i've ever tasted 
️ anyway, back to matt maltese... i love how he stays focused on songwriting and not on all the fame stuff 
. His music has such a unique blend of emotions and humor, like he’s not afraid to be vulnerable and silly at the same time. It's refreshing to see an artist stay true to themselves and their craft, especially when it comes to songwriting. He might have started out on TikTok but his passion for creating music is genuine 
.