Emperor X

“Matheny has the potential to be the next indie superstar, possessing the effortless songwriting chops of a Stephen Malkmus or Elliot Smith as well as the kind of compellingly holistic musical presence that could place him among the vanguard of modern pop composers, next to folks like the Flaming Lips. … Emperor X is well on his way to becoming the Next Big Thing in the world of indie rock. Central Hug . . . is the best indie rock record of the year so far, and stands a good chance of being one of the best records, period, when all is said and done. “ - POPMATTERS, Tim O'Neil

Homemade and sometimes grungily recorded, the latest record by Chad Matheny's one-man band delivers jitter and indie pop that practically gnaws its own arm with excitement…It's easy to act nonchalant about lo-fi, four-track wizardry, and in the post-Microphones, post-Postal Service world, we underrate the use of beats, new textures or inventive overdubs because we insist that originality won't make a record engaging. But Central Hug doesn't settle for sounding ‘original’ or ‘clever’: It nakedly gives a shit about itself, as Matheny assembles his album with tape and cheap wire, building it quickly before the hurricane passes and stretching it to the breaking point with the shout that's scrawled across the disc's face, ‘GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO...’� Rating: 7.7 - PITCHFORK MEDIA, Chris Dahlen

“(Emperor X’s album) ‘Tectonic Membrane…’ is a swollen interfusion of capricious brilliance. Skittering chunks of electronica and shouty staccato pop combine with a wonderful lyrical absurdity and a mass of irregular quirks. Splintered instrumentals are filched from the exalt-frenzy of My Bloody Valentine. We get Sebadoh styled dirges, the oblique, nervous tension of The Mountain Goats, and the jerky, imposing urgency of The Fall (fast becoming a ubiquitous reference point on these pages). The isolated beauty of Pale Saints occasionally tosses its lank fringe. You’ll encounter songs about termites, home ownership and studying abroad, and what’s more you can shake your ass profanely to most of it. There’s an ambitious cultural statement going on here, but I’ll be damned if I can work out what it is. Fried genius. “ - Plan B Magazine (UK)

“Matheny delivers on the promise once offered by lo-fi, and adds a healthy dose of modernly retro electronics that actually find something original to do beyond new wave ripoffs or folky blips and bleeps …Amazingly, Matheny seems to be getting everything right, doing his best in the places most likely to fail. Folktronica followers and the Strokes could all use a lesson.� Rating: 4.5/5 stars - www.allmusic.com