Holy Moly by JellyFox - 2022
The debut album “Holy Moly” was written and arranged by Matthew Payne Thompson in the solidarity of his modest home studio. The album’s lyrical content was inspired by relationships, challenges, and changes that took place throughout his twenties. In “Holy Moly”, Matt’s personal lyrics collide with his pursuit of big, hooky choruses, airtight pop arranging, and daring chord progressions. The songs are filtered through a texture of dreamy guitars, intricate vocal harmonies, and woozy retro synths to create a style that is reminiscent of new wave, power-pop, and pop music of the 1960s. “Holy Moly” took three years to develop between the downtime provided in an ongoing touring schedule. Matt wrapped the album writing process just before he turned 30. The album was, and is, a proud finale to a formative and defining decade.
While the writing and arranging of “Holy Moly” was a solo effort, Matt was joined by several friends and frequent bandmates to perform on the final recording. This included additional background vocals by Wyatt Funderburk, Mandy Funderburk, Paul Runyon, and Michael Williamson. Tom Myers served as the album’s drummer. Wyatt Funderburk also assisted as a co-producer and provided the album’s final mix.
All songs written and arranged by JellyFox (Matthew Payne Thompson)
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Matt Thompson and Wyatt Funderburk
Assisted by Rich Kelly III
All songs performed by Matt Thompson AND:
Tom Myers: Drums, Percussion
Wyatt Funderburk: Synthesizers, Programming, Vocals
Mandy Funderburk: Vocals
Paul Runyon: Vocals
Michael Williamson: Vocals
Mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering
Artwork by Matt Thompson
While the writing and arranging of “Holy Moly” was a solo effort, Matt was joined by several friends and frequent bandmates to perform on the final recording. This included additional background vocals by Wyatt Funderburk, Mandy Funderburk, Paul Runyon, and Michael Williamson. Tom Myers served as the album’s drummer. Wyatt Funderburk also assisted as a co-producer and provided the album’s final mix.
All songs written and arranged by JellyFox (Matthew Payne Thompson)
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Matt Thompson and Wyatt Funderburk
Assisted by Rich Kelly III
All songs performed by Matt Thompson AND:
Tom Myers: Drums, Percussion
Wyatt Funderburk: Synthesizers, Programming, Vocals
Mandy Funderburk: Vocals
Paul Runyon: Vocals
Michael Williamson: Vocals
Mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering
Artwork by Matt Thompson
written reviews of 'holy moly'
Equal parts 80’s synth and west coast pop, the new album from JellyFox (aka Matthew Payne Thompson) is his first – and oh what a debut! With sweet melodies, big hooks and lovely harmonies, Holy Moly could rival many 80’s artist’s “best of” albums. Every track is worthy of being an “A” side.
While JellyFox is first and foremost the work of Matt Thompson, he had some very capable help from friends. Tom Myers (drums) and Wyatt Funderburk (synth and vocals) serve to give JellyFox its signature sound. Mandy Funderburk, Paul Runyon and Michael Williamson create spot on harmonies that make your ears perk up and listen.
Radio Friendly Pop with Soul
The opening track, “Best Home Life”, is undeniably one of the most radio friendly tracks of 2022. That said, you won’t hear a catchier song than “Joshua”, a soulful slice of pop that makes you want to sing along. It’s my favorite such song since Jude Cole’s “House Full of Reasons”. If its those 90’s boy bands you dig, check out “I Was So Wrong”. Other radio should-be hits include the title track and the equally enticing “Dog Days”.
This may be a debut album but you’d never know it by the quality of the songwriting, execution or production. Good songwriting in particular, is timeless. Don’t be surprised to see JellyFox on several top power pop albums lists at the end of the year. Given the proper attention, a number of these songs could be hits in any time. Get your copy at Kool Kat Musik or the digital version at Bandcamp. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
- Richard Rossi, PowerPopNews.com
While JellyFox is first and foremost the work of Matt Thompson, he had some very capable help from friends. Tom Myers (drums) and Wyatt Funderburk (synth and vocals) serve to give JellyFox its signature sound. Mandy Funderburk, Paul Runyon and Michael Williamson create spot on harmonies that make your ears perk up and listen.
Radio Friendly Pop with Soul
The opening track, “Best Home Life”, is undeniably one of the most radio friendly tracks of 2022. That said, you won’t hear a catchier song than “Joshua”, a soulful slice of pop that makes you want to sing along. It’s my favorite such song since Jude Cole’s “House Full of Reasons”. If its those 90’s boy bands you dig, check out “I Was So Wrong”. Other radio should-be hits include the title track and the equally enticing “Dog Days”.
This may be a debut album but you’d never know it by the quality of the songwriting, execution or production. Good songwriting in particular, is timeless. Don’t be surprised to see JellyFox on several top power pop albums lists at the end of the year. Given the proper attention, a number of these songs could be hits in any time. Get your copy at Kool Kat Musik or the digital version at Bandcamp. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
- Richard Rossi, PowerPopNews.com
Matt Thompson is the brains behind Jellyfox, but he's aided and abetted here by Wyatt Funderburk, a guy who's aided and abetted on a lot of cool pop records over the past decade or so. Holy Moly is certainly one of those, but the vibe here is not one of guitar domination; instead, it's keyboards that take center stage as Thompson proffers sort of a lite-soul, 1970s type of sound, with his boyish lead vocals being the perfect accompaniment. (He also performs in a Beach Boys tribute band.) While some of the programmed keyboard sounds may annoy pop purists, for me they suit the songs perfectly and give them a modern feel without overpowering them.
- John M. Borack, Goldmine Magazine
- John M. Borack, Goldmine Magazine
Jelly Fox is Nashville-based Mathew Payne Thompson, and Holy Moly is another Lockdown recording. One of the few bright spots in these lockdowns are the astonishing records released by musicians with time on their hands. Thompson’s songs have an effortless melodic flow that is simultaneously vivacious and weighty, highly addictive melodies with sixties touches, like the Henry Mancini-like flourishes on “Fade Away,” which sounds like it came from an Italian romantic comedy. That instrumental fanfare you might hear walking past the Brill Building in 1968. With its light R&B groove, “I Was So Wrong” has some Wham DNA, but Thompson’s a better writer and finds unexpected bridges and hooks. A whiff of “Spanish Harlem” emerges on “Dog Days,” gone in an instant. “Missingno” begins with a fanfare like Ed James’ “Welcome To The Show,” and has that Mancini touch. “Lavendar Day” explodes into dreamy harmonies like latter day Rascals. An astonishing debut.
- Mike Baron, PowerGeekHeaven.com
- Mike Baron, PowerGeekHeaven.com