Up and Comers Music

Motte’s “Hide & Seek” is vintage singer-songwriter nourishment for listeners searching for something authentic in today’s increasingly AI-influenced scene. With just a few elements at play – an electric guitar, female vocal, piano, and acoustic drum kit – the band rely on their distinctive playing style and melodies rather than production to craft their craveable sound. Listening to “Hide & Seek” feels like a return home for those of us hankering for something real as we watch the industry take an odd turn toward automation.

The song begins with just three soft piano chords and a female vocalist. Guitar feedback slowly creeps in, adding to the intro’s sense that something big might be brewing. Eventually, gentle touches of the drums come in and slowly build the song into its full volume. When the band is firing on all cylinders at this moment, they remind us of the earnest rock bands that leaned heavily on guitar and piano interplay from the earlier 2000s (The Hush Sound, Jukebox the Ghost, and Ra Ra Riot come to mind first). This call-back to a genre we don’t hear much of these days was a real nostalgia trip. But there are other interesting possible influences at play here. The sharp picking and bending of the guitar remind us at times of Jimmy Page, and there is certainly a distinct bluesy, classic rock inflection here. At other times, the warmth of the guitar solo reminds us a bit of Wilco’s Nels Kline. There are all kinds of intersecting styles and influences evoked in “Hide & Seek”. 

Whether you’re searching for a turn back to singer-songwriter rock of decades past or just something ear-pleasing and accessible, Motte has you covered in “Hide & Seek”. Up and Comers is always seeking real music that takes us on a sonic journey either to places unknown or to familiar ones we love, and in this song, Motte has managed to do both. “Hide & Seek” is a fresh approach to genres of days past at just the moment when authentic artistry is needed most. 

Stream Motte’s Hide & Seek here and follow them on Instagram to stay current on new releases. 
Check out our Up and Comers playlist for more music discovery.