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Turnersville artist Matt DeAngelis has unveiled his newest single and music video, “Rock And A Hard Place.” The song features one of the most beautifully crafted tight rock structures I’ve encountered this year.

DeAngelis’s talent extends beyond songwriting; he also excels in selecting his bandmates. The lineup features Billy Kennedy on guitar, Eric Bishop on bass, and Cole Herudek on drums and percussion, all contributing to a distinctive classic rock sound. I was particularly impressed by the music video, showcasing a serene and beautiful mountain setting. The old-school influences in the track are unmistakable, which adds to its charm. As DeAngelis has mentioned, he draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including Queen, Yes, and The Beatles, and I can truly feel a wonderful sense of nostalgia in his music.

We all encounter challenges, whether you’re currently facing them or have experienced them in the past. In his track, Matt DeAngelis addresses the tough choices we encounter during life’s struggles and complexities. While he offers hope, he also emphasizes that a decision you believe will secure your future may not be as reliable as you think. As he expresses in the song, “It’s easy to think life’s planned ahead, but it’s not.”

Building on the previous point, I admired how he transformed his life struggles into music, which I see as a true act of bravery. As he shared, “As an advocate for mental health, having faced severe anxiety and OCD throughout my life, I often find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place. It can feel like, regardless of what I do or what I believe is right or wrong, everything is a challenge. However, I aimed for this song to resonate universally. We all encounter tough choices in life, and no one is exempt from heartache or suffering. Whether you identify as the rock or the hard place, we all confront lasting challenges. Yet, I firmly believe there is hope. We may not always recognize or comprehend it, but God is the eternal rock, and we create a hard place when we forget this.” Matt DeAngelis shared.

The allure of Matt DeAngelis and his musical style lies in its simplicity, which makes it easy to become a fan. Without a doubt, his music has found a place in my collection, and I am excitedly anticipating his next release.