Matt Farren Turns Sound Into Cinema with His Electrifying Album “POP CINEMA”

Every once in a while, an artist comes along who manages to make music feel like a movie, not just through storytelling, but through pure sonic imagination. Matt Farren’s “POP CINEMA” does exactly that. Now officially out in the world, this record is an experience that refuses to sit still, a vivid, genre-blending trip that feels like flicking through a dozen different worlds, all tied together by one voice unafraid to take risks.

Coming from a background in screenwriting, Farren’s approach to songwriting feels deliberate yet unpredictable, every track plays like a new scene, every melody a cinematic cut that keeps you leaning in. One moment, you’re in the middle of a glittering pop anthem; the next, you’re hit with something tender, moody, and human. It’s not just an album you listen to, it’s one you see.

What’s especially wild about “POP CINEMA” is its lineup, every song features a guest artist, from LIVM and The Band Joey to Aly Rowell, KRIMETZ, Galaxy Shores, and more. Each collaboration adds a new texture, a new genre twist, a fresh burst of energy that turns the whole thing into a kaleidoscope of sound. It’s theatrical, heartfelt, and a little unpredictable, the best kind of chaos.

And then there’s the Spanish-language track, Farren’s first. Written after he completed an entire Duolingo course, it’s not just a flex; it’s proof of how deeply he dives into everything he does. That mix of commitment and curiosity runs through every second of this record.

At its core, “POP CINEMA” feels like an artist in full motion, blurring the lines between pop and performance, vulnerability and spectacle. It’s bold, it’s cinematic, and it’s impossible to skip through.

So turn the lights down, press play, and let Matt Farren’s world unfold, “POP CINEMA” isn’t just music, it’s a whole universe of sound and story, all happening in real time.

We got a chance to interview Matt Farren & ask him about the album...

"“POP CINEMA” feels like a full-on movie soundtrack with every track telling a different story, if you could assign a film genre to your own life right now, what would it be and why?

Firstly; thank you so much, that feels like a 'mission-accomplished' moment. Some of my favorite albums of the past few years have been these eclectic movie soundtracks that bring together very different artists to get their unique takes on the same themes/stories (the “Barbie”, “Into the Spider-Verse”, and “Baby Driver” soundtracks all immediately come to mind), so it makes sense that my inspirations would lean a lot more eclectic.

As for your actual question, skipping the obvious music biopic option (har har), I wanna lean towards one of those romantic-comedies with a genre edge (like “Warm Bodies,” “Love & Monsters,” or “Palm Springs”). I’m not in a relationship right now, but neither are any of the characters in those movies when we meet them; they’re going through their own uniquely interesting stories, but they meet someone along the way who makes their story far more interesting and adds a much needed layer to their perspective on life. Maybe I’m manifesting, but I’d also bet anything in the world that the crazy story I’m living through right now is gonna put me in all the places I need to be, and probably introduce me to some really interesting people along the way. cough cough"

You collaborated with an impressive lineup of artists across this record. Was there a moment in the studio that felt completely unexpected, the kind of magic you can’t plan for?

"OOH, YES without a doubt! I had written every song all the way through (verses and all) before I shared any with the featured artists, and I did find it really cool when an artist was like, “I love what you've written, let’s just go with that” (a lá "The Love of My Whole Life” and “Other Half”), but I always got a thrill when an artist listened to the original version and came up with something entirely new. The FIRST time that happened was when we were recording “Can You Keep a Secret:” Aaron Krimetz (KRIMETZ is his artist name) is an absolute genius, and he got into the sound booth and just absolutely BODIED his verse on the first take. I genuinely couldn’t believe my ears and immediately knew that this song was now an opportunity to show off his skills. That was actually the first song we recorded for this album, so from that point on it just became this consistent thrill of getting to hear other artists’ creative reactions to my own songs.

LIVM, Valentine, and Kendall Hopkins all came in with absolute gold, but also, one more shoutout; Galaxy Shores, on "Strangers (Or Something Else)” didn’t write a verse per se, but the song actually ends on a harmony stack that he wrote out; it was supposed to go under the final belt that takes place just before the end of the song, but I thought that the combination of his vocal tracks was so emotionally resonant that not only did I decide to solo them so everyone could hear them, but it’s genuinely how the album ends; not with my voice, but with the feeling that I wanted to convey. The feeling that inspired me to write the song in the first place. It’s such a thrill, and I can’t wait for people to hear it live."

You wrote and recorded your first-ever song in Spanish for this album, which is such a bold move! What inspired that leap, and how did it shape your creative process?

"I did, and I’m totally ready to get absolutely dragged by true Spanish-Speakers for my simple songwriting, but I couldn’t NOT do it. I wrote the guitar part for Nos Seguimos around 10 years ago and wrote lyrics and a melody over it that I didn’t really like (which makes sense, since it was something I was writing in high school). But, when I re-discovered that track in my voice notes over the past year, I really wanted to salvage the guitar part, which was already very Spanish-feeling. Coincidentally, I’d also spent the last 4 years completing Duolingo’s Spanish Course— like, full stop, I actually finished it (30 minutes a day goes a long way).

I love Spanish music (so excited to watch Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance), and I used to be a Latin Dance instructor, so making a song that combined those loves felt very natural, and even with the simple conjugation/words that I used, I think my affection for the song’s influences is evident, and because the writing/recording was coming from a place of joyful memories, it was impossible to keep from making the song FEEL joyful too."

Since each track has its own cinematic world, if “POP CINEMA” were actually turned into a film, who would play you and what would the opening scene look like?

"I actually love acting, so I’d be down to play some weird version of myself (like Michael Cera in “This is the End”) but if I HAD to cast somebody else as me, I think there are a few cool options: Roman Griffin Davis was great in Jojo Rabbit, but recently impressed me in The Long Walk! I also think Owen Cooper (from Adolescence) is gonna be incredible in whatever he does next, but also shoutout to Jonah Wren Phillips who was AMAZING in “Bring Her Back” and I think can probably do anything.

If I’m being honest though, I’d be way more intrigued by who they got to Direct the movie (if it wasn’t me). My vote would be either James Morosini or Cooper Raiff (Raiff might have a slight edge since he made “Cha-Cha Real Smooth,” which feels oddly prescient what with the title and my history), and I’d love to see them both do something bigger!

My favorite music biopic of late was “Betterman” the Michael Gracey movie that replaced Robbie Williams with a CGI ape; it showed that a movie about a musician can do whatever it wants as long as it makes emotional sense. So, for my opening scene, skip the obvious “you’re probably wondering how I got here” moment or forced opening song and dance. I’d love for it to start with my character running. I started running back in 2018 and that’s been a very consistent thing in my life ever since (I ran my first marathon at the beginning of this year, and I’ve got a couple more lined up for next year). Let’s say the movie starts early morning, quiet neighborhood, and then I run by (“The Love of My Whole Life” or “Nothing Will Ever Change” playing over the top of the scene).

It starts off relatively simple, but then we introduce the strange element; I’m chasing someone who we can’t recognize, but someone (or something?) is also chasing me. A lot of my motivation stems from where I want to be, but I also think there’s something really important in trying to outdo/distance yourself from whatever’s come before. I think doing that visually, and letting it be an intense opening that is then revealed to be basically an analogy for the driving forces in my life would be a cool way to get this story on the road (pun WAY intended). So, Roman, Owen, and Jonah better start running, and in the meantime, I’ll keep doing the same. (I actually ran both my fastest 5k and 10k to this album, so if that doesn’t prove my motivation, I don’t know what will)."