Matthew Stevens

When an artist releases a self-titled album well into a successful recording career, it’s often seen as a declaration of purpose or a reaffirmation of principles. Matthew Stevens, out May 8 on Candid Records, is a midcareer mission statement by one of the most thrilling and thoughtful guitarists of his generation, playing and writing at the peak of his powers. “I have never been more in touch with myself artistically, which is why this album is self-titled,” says the guitarist. Matthew Stevens seamlessly melds acoustic and electric sonics, flows through genre-blurring original music and meaningful covers, and features a multigenerational cast of musicians who’ve had a profound impact on the artist’s journey. The lineup includes mentors like Terri Lyne Carrington, personal guitar heroes like Jeff Parker, best-of-generation improvisers like the vibraphonist Joel Ross, and the vocal luminaries Anna B Savage and Corey King. At the album’s core is a band of Stevens’ most trusted collaborators, each of them a strikingly unique voice on his instrument: saxophonist Josh Johnson, keyboardist Chris Fishman, bassist Kyle Miles and drummer-percussionist Eric Doob. Other inspired contributions come from percussionist Paulo Stagnaro and guitarists Dylan Day and Rich Hinman on slide and pedal steel, respectively.