Windmill (AKA Matthew Thomas Dillon) is one of the acts that seemed destined for big things but for whatever reason has failed to get that sustained recognition he deserves. Puddle City Racing Lights and Epcot Starfields were both exemplary indie rock/pop albums that received rave reviews and yet Windmill still isn’t the well-known name it should be.
Windmill makes piano driven music that is vulnerable and bleak and often all too true to life. The new album, Above Duffle Farm, is a winter themed record that Dillon recorded at home, with Helen Page of Paperplain also lending her vocals. There are only three tracks available to stream at the moment but the style seems very close to his other work. ‘Atlantic Altitude’ is like the festive song on Epcot Starfields that never was, ‘Blankets Fold’ is slower and reminiscent of ’Planning Stopped’, and ‘Frosting Homes’ (my personal favourite so far) is a lovely cross between familiar Windmill and something like Say Hi.
Atlantic Altitude by Windmill
He deals with modern life and the anxiety and sadness that seems prevelant in young people. Maybe it’s the illusions cast by social media, where everyone but you has an exciting and action packed life. Maybe it’s the increasing worship of material things. Maybe it’s just we all think too much. Whatever it is, Windmill captures it and makes it into something both recognisable and beautiful.
Above Duffle Farm is out on 1st March. You can pre-order it now on Bandcamp for a very reasonable £5, and, if you get it now, you will also receive four bonus tracks too.