10 Futures

Released in 2015 after a significant hiatus, 10 Futures is Matt Hales' most experimental and collaborative work under the Aqualung moniker. Moving away from the 'Grey's Anatomy' style piano ballads that defined his early career, this album embraces a modernist electronic aesthetic. Recorded primarily in his Los Angeles studio, Hales collaborated with a diverse array of artists including Lianne La Havas, Mikky Ekko, and Disclosure's Howard Lawrence. This shift resulted in a record that blends art pop, downtempo, and indie-electronica. Critically, the album was noted for its departure from the 'safe' singer-songwriter mold, with many praising the intricate production and the way Hales' fragile falsetto adapted to more aggressive, rhythmic backdrops. It stands as a bridge between his classic songwriting and his later work as a high-profile producer for other artists.